Analysis of cost of various topical and oral antifungal drugs for superficial fungal infections available in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20214498Keywords:
Cost analysis, Antifungal drugs, Topical antifungalsAbstract
Background: In tropical countries like India, superficial fungal infections are quite common and certain infections like tinea is rampantly spreading in epidemic proportions and frequent relapses after treatment have increased the need for long term therapy significantly increasing the cost of treatment, so the treatment of fungal infection can raise economic burden on the patient. The aim of the study was to analyze the cost variation of topical antifungal drugs and oral antifungal drugs of various brands for superficial fungal infection available in India.
Methods: Cost in Indian Rupees (INR) of antifungal agents manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies in India was collected from the Current index of medical specialities (CIMS) October to December 2019. Minimum cost, maximum cost, cost ratio, cost variation was calculated.
Results: In oral dosage form, fluconazole, Itraconazole show the maximum cost variation. In topical single drug therapy luliconazole, terbinafine show maximum cost variation.
Conclusions: There is wide cost variation among antifungal agents available in Indian Market. There is need of strict actions for cost policy regulation and sensitization of doctor for selection of appropriate brand drugs.
References
Verma S, Madhu R. The Great Indian Epidemic of Superficial Dermatophytosis: An Appraisal. Indian J Dermatol. 2017;62(3):227-36.
Tiwari A. Cost analysis of anti-fungal drugs available in India: A pharmacoeconomic perspective. Indian J Pharm Pharmacol. 2016;3:192-6.
Lakshmanan A, Ganeshkumar P, Mohan SR, Hemamalini M, Madhavan R. Epidemiological and clinical pattern of dermatomycoses in rural India. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2015;33:134-6.
Bhavisha N, Vegada, Sohil P, Makwana, Shah A. Cost Variation Analysis of Antifungal Agents Available In Indian Market. Saud J Med Pharm Sci. 2019;5(1):49-53.
Sahni K, Singh S, Dogra S. Newer Topical Treatments in Skin and Nail Dermatophyte Infections. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2018;9(3):149-58.
Sheehan DJ, Hitchcock CA, Sibley CM. Current and Emerging Azole Antifungal Agents. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1999;12(1):40-79.
V YPGAPB. Analysis of pricing of oral antiviral drug formulations available in Indian market. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2019;9(5):401-4.
Nomura K, Kawasugi K, Morimoto T. Cost-effectiveness analysis of antifungal treatment for patients on chemotherapy. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2006;15(1):44-50.
Verma SB. Complex Cost Issues in Treating Dermatophytoses in India—“It All Builds Up.” Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(4):441-3.
Ahmad A, Patel I, Parimilakrishnan S, Mohanta GP, Chung H, Chang J. The role of pharmacoeconomics in current Indian healthcare system. J Res Pharm Pract. 2013;2(1):3-9.
Oberoi SS, Oberoi A. Pharmacoeconomics guidelines: The need of hour for India. Int J Pharm Investig. 2014;4(3):109-11.
Singh H, Mohan P, Kumar R, Gupta YK. Difference in described indications of medicines among drug information sources in India: An issue urgently to be addressed. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2016;7(1):93-7.