Abstract :
Aim: Hypertension is a global public health problem. To decrease its morbidity and mortality it needs
lifelong treatment. There is a wide range of variation in the prices of antihypertensive drugs marketed in
India. Thus, a study was planned to evaluate the difference in cost of different brands of same active drug
by calculating percentage variation of cost.
Materials and Methods: The cost of different brands of commonly used antihypertensive drugs was sorted
out by referring latest CIMS, MIMS and Drug Today. The cost of 10 dosage forms (Tablets/Capsules) in
INR of each brand, cost Ratio and percentage Cost Variation were calculated.
Results: The percentage variation in the cost was above 100% with most of single drug therapy
for hypertension and is 42 out of 69. It’s found maximum in Atenolol (12.5mg) 880%, Amlodipine
(5mg) 460%, Nifidipine (30mg) 456.29% and Diltiazem (90mg) 407.02%. Among the combination
therapy percentage variation in the cost was above 100% in 16 out of 26. It’s found maximum in
Lisinopril Hydrochlorothiazide (5mg 12.5mg) 926%, Telmisartan Hydrochlorothiazide (40mg 12.5mg)
254.75%, Amlodipine Losartan (5mg 50mg) 246.96% and Amlodipine Enalapril (5mg 5mg) 217.20%.
Conclusion: The average percentage price variation of the same molecules of antihypertensive drugs
manufactured by different pharmaceuticals company in India is very wide. So, government, pharmaceutical
company, marketing manager and prescribing doctors should think about variation of cost and do needful
for providing maximum benefits to the patients receiving antihypertensive drugs.
Keyword :
Cost analysis, Antihypertensive drugs, Price variation, Brands.