Study of cost – analysis of commonly used oral Sedative – Hypnotics in India

Dr. Abhilasha Rashmi; Dr. Sharmada Nerlekar; Dr. Sagar Karia; Dr. Avinash Desousa

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2016

Study of cost – analysis of commonly used oral Sedative – Hypnotics in India

Dr. Abhilasha Rashmi, Dr. Sharmada Nerlekar, Dr. Sagar Karia, Dr. Avinash Desousa

Abstract :

Background: In clinical therapeutics, Sedative–hypnotics are useful for treatment of a variety of dis¬eases related to the central nervous system, such as acute and chronic anxiety, anesthesia, seizure control, and insomnia. There is a wide variation in the prices of oral Sedative–hypnotics marketed in India. Thus, a study was planned to find out the variation in cost of the commonly used oral Sedative–hypnotic drugs available in India as a single drug to evaluate the difference in cost of various ands of the same Sedative–hypnotics by calculating percentage variation in cost. Methods: Cost of commonly used oral Sedative–hypnotics manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies, in the same strength and dosage forms was obtained from “Current Index of Medical Specialties” October 2015– January 2016. The difference in the maximum and minimum price of the same drug manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies and percentage variation in cost per 10 tablets was calculated. Results: The study shows that there is a noticeable variation in the prices of different ands of same Sedative–hypnotics in Indian market. The highest cost variation (415.1%) is found for Zolpidem 5.0 mg tablet, followed by Diazepam 5.0 mg tablet (374.4%). Other significant cost variations are: Alprazolam 1.0 mg (360.0%), Alprazolam 0.25 mg (313.7%), Diazepam 10.0 mg (308.5%), Diazepam 2.0 mg (304.0%) and Lorazepam 1.0 mg tablet (284.6%) The lowest percent cost variation found is of Zopiclone 7.5 mg (3.4%) followed by Eszopiclone 2.0 mg (4.9%) and Clobazam 20.0 mg (7.9%). Conclusion: There is a wide difference in the cost of different ands of oral Sedative–hypnotic drugs available in India. The clinicians prescribing these drugs should be aware of these variations in cost to reduce the cost of drug therapy thereby increasing patient compliance.