The cost of a monthly course of antihypertensive therapy: the impact on acquisition of antihypertensive drugs in the Far Eastern Federal District

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze the structure of acquisition of antihypertensive drugs in six regions of the Far East Federal District at the cost of a monthly course of therapy. Design and methods . The following indices were analyzed: level of the average per capita income, a living wage, morbidity of the population of Kamchatka Krai, Sakhalin Region, Republic of Saha, Jewish Autonomous Region, Republic of Buryatia, Zabaykalsky Krai. We analyzed data from 6 regions out of 11. We used the data from three regions with the largest and three regions with the lowest indicators of income of the population. We applied the intragroup marketing analysis of the pharmaceutical market (52 pharmaceutical organizations) based on defined daily doses (DDD) in quantitative and monetary equivalents, and the statistical analysis (descriptive statistics, intermediate results, dispersive analysis, coefficient of correlation of Spearmen, criteria Mann–Whitney). Results . Regions of the Far Eastern Federal District are characterized by differences in distribution of an indicator “income level / a living wage” from 3,3 to 1,7, to average in Russian Federation — 2,9. The highest rates of drug acquisition (over 40 %) was found in a segment with the cost of a 30-day course of therapy till 100 rubles at regions with the low income of the population, and over 35 % — in regions with high income. In total over 50 % packages of used drugs are within the range “till 300 rubles per monthly treatment”. Differences in quantitative and monetary value between two groups are not statistically significant. The highest sales in a money equivalent was in a segment of “100–300 rubles” in the regions with low level of income of the population and “500–1000 rubles” — in the regions with high income. The average cost of a 30-day course of antihypertensive therapy in regions varies from 350–450 rubles. Conclusions . The cost of a monthly course of antihypertensive therapy correlates with acquisition by patients of medicines in regions, both with low, and with high level of income of the population. Our data show the need for consideration of the patient’s expenses when prescribing the drugs and forming the assortment in the pharmaceutical organizations in regions of the Far Eastern Federal District.