Elaborated Cost Variation Study of Various Brands of Anti-Asthmatic Drugs Available in Indian Market | Chapter 2 | Technological Innovation in Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 8

 Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that affects people of all ages and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. It necessitates ongoing medical care. One of the most common causes of non-compliance and treatment failure is high prescription prices. Pharmaceutical costs have a considerable impact on patient treatment, especially in developing countries. The cost of different brands of the same generic drug has been demonstrated to vary substantially. If doctors are unaware, they may prescribe costlier brands, leading to noncompliance. The goal of this research was to compare the costs of several anti-asthmatic medication brands.

Methods: The least and highest cost in Rupees (INR) of a given anti-asthmatic agent made by numerous pharmaceutical manufacturers in the same strength were mentioned in the most recent issue of Drug Today 2017. The cost ratio and percentage cost variance for each brand were recorded.

The pricing of anti-asthmatic drugs varied dramatically in this study. Doxophylline 400 mg had the biggest percent cost variation (3100%), followed by Deflazacort 6 mg (1300%), Methylprednisolone 4 mg (1104%), Combo of Formoterol and Budesonide (444%), Salbutamol 4 mg caps (363%), Theophylline and Salbutamol combination (236%), and Ketotifen 1 mg (217 percent ). The lowest percent cost fluctuations were found in Fluticasone 50 mcg (0.4 percent), Cromolyn 20 mg (2%), Formoterol 12 mcg (11.5 percent), Tiotropium 18 mcg (11.5 percent), Ipratropium 20 mcg/200 mdi (19 percent), and others.

Conclusion: The government should examine the pricing control method for anti-asthmatic medications manufactured by diverse Indian companies so that the costs of different brands remain consistent, high-quality, and affordable. Doctors must prescribe intelligently, choosing cost-effective medications based on the country's health status.

Author (s) Details

Jyoti B. Gadhade
Department of Pharmacology, B. J. Government Medical College and SGH Pune, 411001, India.

Yogesh B. Magar
Department of Pharmacology, B. J. Government Medical College and SGH Pune, 411001, India.

Rajesh S. Hiray
Department of Pharmacology, B. J. Government Medical College and SGH Pune, 411001, India.

Balasaheb B. Ghongane
Department of Pharmacology, B. J. Government Medical College and SGH Pune, 411001, India.

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