Cost analysis of oral hypoglycemic agents available in Indian pharmaceutical market

Background: Diabetes mellitus is “A metabolic disorder requiring lifelong medication which further adds to. Cost of the drug pays an important role in adherence and compliance to the treatment. There is a wide variation in prices of oral hypoglycemic drugs available in Indian pharmaceutical market. 

Aims and Objectives: The study was planned to evaluate cost of oral antidiabetic drugs of various brands currently available in Indian market either as single drug or in combination.

Materials and Methods: Cost of antidiabetic medications manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies in the same strength and dosage form was obtained from the price list provided by various pharmaceutical companies in current index of medical specialties April–July 2022. The cost ratio and percentage price variation for each formulation was calculated and analyzed. 

Results: The highest percentage price variation is seen with Tab. Metformin 809% and lowest with Tab. Glibenclamide 5 mg 46.8% while the highest cost ratio is seen with Tab. Metformin 9.09 and and lowest cost ratio Tab. Glibenclamide 5 mg 1.46. Other oral anti diabetic drugs with percentage price variation and cost ratio are Tab. Gliclazide 30 mg–346.7% and 4.46, Tab. Pioglitazone 15 mg 299% and 3.99, Tab. Voglibose 0.2 mg 352% and 4.52. 

Conclusion: Our study shows that there is high price variation for oral anti diabetics. It is important to bring awareness about wide variation in prices so that drug cost can be reduced and made affordable to common man which plays major role in compliance of patient.