Pharmacoeconomic analysis of drugs used for peptic ulcer in India

Abstract

Background: Acid peptic disorders are common medical problems in daily clinical practice leading to a significant economic burden on healthcare expenses. Due to lack of information on comparative drug prices and quality, it becomes difficult for physicians to prescribe the most economical treatment. So the present study was planned to analyse the price variations of various anti-ulcer drugs available in India. Methods: The cost of a particular anti-ulcer drug being manufactured by different companies, in the same dose and dosage forms, was obtained from latest issue of ‘‘current index of medical specialties’’ January to April, 2016. The difference between the maximum and minimum prices of same drug was analysed and percentage variation in the prices was calculated. Results: Overall, the prices of a total of 12 anti-ulcer drugs belonging to four different categories available in 38 different formulations were analysed. Among the proton pump inhibitors, pantoprazole (40 mg; EC tablet) showed the maximum price variation of 500.75%. With regard to H2 blockers, ranitidine (50 mg; injection) showed the maximum price variation of 989.92%. The maximum price variation among various formulations of ulcer protective was seen with sucralfate (1000 mg; tablet) of 166.00% while misoprostol (200µg; tablet) was the only drug present in prostaglandin analogues and it showed a price variability of 14.33%. Conclusions: The average percentage variations of different brands of the same anti-ulcer drugs in same dose and dosage form manufactured in India were very wide. The government and drug manufacturing companies must direct their efforts in reducing the cost of anti-ulcer drugs and thereby minimizing the economic burden on the patients.