Cost Analysis Study of HMG CoA Inhibitors

Context: 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, also called as statins are widely used to treat dyslipidaemia which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The importance of pharmaco economic studies are increasing due to explosion of new drugs in the market, the wide variations in the patterns of drug prescribing, the growing concern about cost of drugs. Objective: To evaluate the cost and difference in cost of different brands for statins by calculating cost range, cost ratio and average cost. Methods: The cost in Indian National Rupees among the different brands of same generic name is evaluated by using Monthly Index of Medical Specialities (MIMS) October 2013 edition and electronic database search through “Medlineindia”. The study is done by calculating cost of drug per 10 dosage forms. The cost range is expressed as minimum cost per ten dosages to maximum cost per ten dosages. The cost ratio is calculated as maximum cost divided by minimum cost. The average cost of generic drug is calculated as total drug cost of different brand names divided by total number of brands available for the same generic drug. Results: The group of HMG CO-A reductase inhibitors include atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin and pitavastatin. There are multiple brands of same generic drug available in the market with wide cost range. For example, the cost range (in INR) of atorvastatin 5mg is 9.00-68.80, 10mg is 12.00-118.50, 20mg is 19.00-212.38, 40 mg is 85.00-280, 80mg is 160.00-374.50. Conclusion: Ideally the drugs should be prescribed by generic names and no brand is proved to be scientifically superior to other brand. The cheaper brand drug improves patient compliance by saving patient money.

Author(s): Sirisha A

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