Inpatient drug costing at SKIMS.

Background: The health care in modern days has become more complex sophisticated and more expensive in terms of cost of drugs, surgical equipment and hospital stay. The study “Inpatient drug costing at SKIMS” was undertaken with the objective of studying the drugs stored in Drug and Pharmacy Department according to their cost and criticality. The study also assessed the average cost of drugs per inpatient per day admitted in earmarked wards of SKIMS Srinagar. Objectives: 1) To analyze the drugs stored in Drug and Pharmacy according to cost and criticality; 2) To study the average cost of drugs per inpatient per day. Study Design: Retrospective and prospective study. Methods: Retrospective study was carried out for a period of one year by checking of the stock registers. Prospective study included checking of treatment charts of the patients in earmarked wards. Results: Out of 156 drugs stored, 24 items (15.38%) consumed 70% (Rs.6512454) of annual drug expenditure comprising group ‘A’ items. 35 items (22.43%) consumed 20% (Rs.1860701) of annual drug expenditure forming group ‘B’ items. Rest 97 items (62.17%) consumed only 10% (Rs.930350) of total budget, classified as group ‘C’ items. VED classification of the inventory revealed that out of 156 items stored, 30 items (19.23%) were considered ‘Vital’ by the constituted medical panel; 61 items (39.10%) were ‘Essential’ and the rest 65 items (41.66%) were considered ‘Desirable’. The cost of drugs per inpatient per day works out to be Rs.337.18. Conclusions: The results of the study are expected to guide the management to delegate the responsibility to different officers and apply the “Principle of Material Management including Inventory Control”. Moreover it will facilitate the management in controlling the cost and ensure the availability of vital and essential items in the hospital which will be in the interest of patients and the administration