Price variation in different brands of anticancer drugs available in Indian pharmaceutical market: a cost analysis study

Authors

  • Sandeep Kumar Adwal Department of Pharmacology, R. D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India
  • Ruchi Baghel Department of Pharmacology, R. D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20191010

Keywords:

Anticancer, Cancer, Cost analysis, Cost variation, Pharmacoeconomic

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the most expensive and lethal noncommunicable diseases globally. Availability and affordability of anticancer drugs are the most important factors on which management of cancer depends. The objective of the study was to evaluate the variation of cost among different brands of anti-cancer drugs available in the Indian market.

Methods: “Current Index of Medical Specialties” July-October 2018 and “Drug Update” Sept - 2018 were used to obtain cost in INR* (Indian National Rupees) of anticancer drugs manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies in India, in the same strength and dosage form. Percentage cost variations were calculated by minimum and maximum costs of anticancer drug of different brands.

Results: Percentage variation in cost was analyzed for 41 different formulations of 27 anticancer drugs. Highest cost variability seen with Alkylating agent Carboplatin 150 mg injection (1100%) and lowest with Antimetabolite anticancer agent Cytarabine 500 mg injection (6.56%). Three formulations showed more than 500% cost variation, largest with Carboplatin 150 mg injection (1100%) followed by Anastrozole 1 mg tablet (870%) and Letrozole 1 mg tablet (508.42%).

Conclusions: Present study finding showed significant cost variation in different brand of many anticancer drugs in India. These results indicated that greater price transparencies required. This price variation issue requires a much more in-depth analysis of the health care system.

References

Albreht T, McKee M, Alexe DM, Coleman MP, Martin-Moreno JM. Making progress against cancer in Europe in 2008. Euro J Cancer. 2008;44(10):1451-6.

NICPR. Cancer Statistics. India against cancer. Available at: http://cancerindia.org.in/cancer-statistics/.

IQVIA. Global Oncology Trends, 2018. Available at: https://www.iqvia.com/institute/reports/global-oncology-trends-2018.

Das SC. A critical study on availability and price variation between different brands: impact on access to medicines. Ind J Pharmaceutical Sci. 2007;69(1):160.

Ahuja J, Gupta M, Gupta AK, Kohli K. Pharmacoeconomics. National Med J Ind. 2004;17(2):80-3.

Trask L. Pharmacoeconomics: Principles, methods, and applications. In: DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey L, eds. Pharmacotherapy: a pathophysiologic approach. 8th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011.

Trask L. Pharmacoeconomics: Principles, methods, and applications. In: DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey L, eds. Pharmacotherapy: a pathophysiologic approach. 8th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011.

Kolasani BP, Malathi DC, Ponnaluri RR. Variation of cost among anti-cancer drugs available in Indian market. JCDR. 2016;10(11):FC17.

Salmasi S, Lee KS, Ming LC, Neoh CF, Elrggal ME, Khan TM, et al. Pricing appraisal of anti-cancer drugs in the South East Asian, Western Pacific and East Mediterranean Region. BMC Cancer. 2017;17(1):903.

Lofolm PW, Katzug BG. Rational prescribing and prescription writing. In: Katzug BG, eds. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 9th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1091–100.

Thomas M. Rational drug use and essential drug concept. In: Parthasarthi G, Nyfort-Hasen K. eds. A textbook of clinical pharmacy practice. 1st ed. Himayatnagar, Hyderabad: Orient Longman; 2004: 72-3.

Sarkar PK. A rational drug policy. Ind J Med Ethics. 2004;1(1):11-2.

Roy V, Rewari S. Ambiguous drug pricing: a physician’s dilemma. Ind J Pharmacol. 1998;30(6):404.

Wertheimer AI, Grumer SK. Overview of international pharmacy pricing. Pharmacoeconomics. 1992;2(6):449-55.

Berki SE, Richards JW, Weeks HA. The mysteries of prescription pricing in retail pharmacies. Med Care. 1977;15(3):241-50.

NPPA. Compendium of notified ceiling prices of scheduled drugs. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, 2015. Available at: http://www.nppaindia.nic.in/englishcompendium2015.pdf.

Frazier LM, Brown JT, Divine GW, Fleming GR, Philips NM, Siegal WC, et al. Can physician education lower the cost of prescription drugs?: a prospective, controlled trial. Ann Inte Med. 1991;115(2):116-21.

Badia X, Russo P, Attanasio E. A comparative economic analysis of simvastatin versus atorvastatin: results of the surrogate marker cost-efficacy (SMaC) study. Clin Therapeutics. 1999;21(10):1788-96.

Downloads

Published

2019-03-23

How to Cite

Adwal, S. K., & Baghel, R. (2019). Price variation in different brands of anticancer drugs available in Indian pharmaceutical market: a cost analysis study. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 8(4), 642–646. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20191010

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles