Cost Analysis of Z-Drugs in Indian Market: A Pharmacoeconomic Study

In the present era where diseases are prevalent in every country, affecting every strata of population, expenditure on medication creates a significant impact on an individual’s income. Cost of drugs has to be given importance by health care professionals so as not to affect the economic status of the patient. Since insomnia is one of the prevalent diseases in India, a patient suffering from chronic insomnia may need to take hypnotics on regular basis. Z-compounds are commonly prescribed drugs for insomnia. In the following study, cost analysis of Z-drugs has been done in order to assess the cost range. Materials And Methods: Five Z-drugs were included in this study - Zolpidem, Zopiclone, Eszopiclone, Zonisamide and Zaleplon. The cost of all the brands of these five Z-drugs available in Monthly Index of Medical Specialities (MIMS) during October 2013 were collected. 6 Cost has been expressed as Indian National Rupees per 10 tablets. Cost range, Cost ratio, Mean cost of generic drug was calculated. Observations And Results: Single drug is available under multiple brands having wide cost range. Example: Zoplidem is available under 36 brands with cost range INR 26.67-78.00. Conclusion: Prescription of costly brand could adversely affect a patient. Many times treating clinicians have no information about drug cost. Cost consideration by the clinician would be an added benefit for the patient.

Author(s): Fazeel ZA

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