COST ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY CARE ANAESTHETICS IN INDIAN MARKET: GENERIC VS. BRANDED

Objective: To study the degree of compliance of primary care anaesthesia dispensing companies in following the pricing norms set by Drug Price Control Order 2013(DPCO). Methods: This is an observational analytical study where the dosage, strength and ceiling price of the generic primary care anesthetics was obtained from the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) updated price list 2022 and similar data of their various counterpart brands, were obtained from www.medguideindia.com. Thereafter, comparisons of their ceiling price along with the brands cost range, cost ratio and percent cost variation were sought. Results: Our study retrieved 150 brands of total 11 injectable/topical primary care anaesthetics available in India of which 39.33% brands had prices more than DPCO recommended ceiling price.  Maximum price violation (90%) was noticed with brands of Inj. Midazolam 5 mg/ml. The maximum cost variation and cost ratio was seen with brands of Inj. Lignocaine 1-2% (10mg/ml) of 14837% and 149.37 respectively. Conclusion: The adjuvant sedative hypnotic, Midazolam which is often used to supplement the action of primary sedative hypnotics in inducing general anaesthesia, violating price ceiling is a matter of great concern as it would adversely impact the primary patient care; the most basic level of health care which almost whole population needs at some time or the other. Similarly adding to the misery of the common man is the maximum cost ratio and percent cost variation of the local anaesthetic, Inj. Lignocaine 1-2 % as it continues its prominence as the most widely used local anesthetic agent.&nbsp