Abstract

COST ANALYSIS OF ORAL ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS AVAILABLE IN INDIA

M. Nizamudin*, B. Jagan Nathan, P. Arun, P. Deepak Kumar and B. Rajesh Kannan

Abstract

Aim: This study was implemented to analyse the percentage price variation and cost ratio among various brands of antidepressant medications obtainable in India. Method: Cost of a specific medication which manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies, with same dosage form and strength have been found by using latest CIMS (Current Index of Medical Specialities) October 2019- January 2020 edition. Variation in minimum and maximum cost of same medication manufactured by various companies, was calculated. Results: Percentage cost variation and cost ratio of frequently used medications was noticed. Tablet Amitriptyline (25mg) found to have maximum percentage cost variation of 369.85% with cost ratio of 4.69, and Tablet Desvenlafaxine (100mg) found to have minimum cost variation of 2.65%. In combination therapy, Chlordiazepoxide 10mg + Amitriptylline 25mg combination found to have maximum cost of 253.20% with highest cost ratio of 3.53. Conclusion: There was a huge cost variation between the various brands of similar oral antidepressant medications manufactured in India. If prescription is prescribed with very high cost branded medications for poor patients, it may leads to delayed treatment. By providing awareness and knowledge among psychiatrists, pharmacists and other health care professionals about the cost variation may reduce financial burden faced by patients without health insurance.

Keywords: Antidepressants, Cost analysis, pharmacoeconomics, Indian drugs, cost comparison.