Cost variation analysis of antipsychotic drugs available in Indian market: an economic perspective

Background: Pricing of drugs plays a very important role in a developing country like India especially in the management of chronic conditions. There exists a huge price variation among the different brands of the same drug. Hence this study was planned to find out variation in prices of antipsychotic drugs marketed in India. The objective was to compare the percentage price variation and cost ratio of various formulations of oral and parenteral antipsychotic drugs available in the Indian market.Methods: Cost of oral and parenteral antipsychotic drugs available in the Indian market manufactured by different companies, in the same strength, number and dosage form was obtained from http://www.medguideindia.com. The percentage price variation and cost ratio of each formulation was calculated.Results: Among the typical group of antipsychotic drugs, Tab Haloperidol 0.25mg shows maximum price variation of 650% and a cost ratio of 7.5 followed by Tab Trifluoperazine 1mg having a price variation of 555.5% and a cost ratio of 6.55. Among the atypical group of drugs, tab Risperidone 3mg shows a price variation of 2282.35% with a cost ratio of 23.82 followed by Tab Risperidone 4mg with a price variation of 1976.92 % and a cost ratio of 20.76.Conclusions: There is a wide variation between the minimum and maximum cost among the different brands of the same drug in the same formulations. Combined efforts are needed from the regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical companies, physicians and pharmacist towards controlling the prices and attaining maximum economic benefits for the patient