Cost Analysis of Oral Anti-Depressants Available in the Indian Market

Abstract

Objective:  Cost analysis of oral anti-depressants available in the Indian market.

Methods: This was conducted as a cross- sectional analysis by the department of pharmacology between January and March 2019. Details regarding the dosage, formulations and cost of a particular drug being manufactured by different companies, in the same strength and dosage forms, was obtained from ‘‘Current Index of Medical Specialties’’2018 – Jan 2019. Using the maximum and minimum cost of drugs of a dosage and strength produced by different companies, the variation in market price of drug has been calculated.

Results: Our study analysed the cost of 27 different anti-depressants available as 18 single and 9 combination preparations available in 135 different formulations. For the group of TCAs’, the maximum variation in price is 354% for Tablet Amitriptyline 50g while no variation was seen in all available formulations of Doxepin and Nortriptyline. Out of all SSRI’s there maximum price variation of 191% for Escitalopram 10mg, while no variation is seen in all formulations of Citalopram, Fluoxetine 40mg, Fluvoxamine 25mg and 200mg and Paroxetine 40mg. For SNRI’s there is maximum price variation of 76% for Duloxetine 30mg and a minimum variation of 11.39% for Duloxetine 40mg.Finally, for atypical anti-depressants,  a  maximum of 91.4% variation in price is seen for Mirtazapine 7.5mg, while no variation is seen in the prices of all formulations of Bupropion and Mianserin.

Conclusion: The study shows a wide variation in the price of oral anti-depressants available in the Indian market. Highlighting the need for more stringent measures by the government to improve the affordability and standardise the cost of all formulations of oral anti-depressants. Especially for the drugs falling under the essential drug list.