Quantifying the Magnitude and Composition of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on Medicines in India2014 to 2017-18: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Analysis

Introduction: More than 60% of healthcare expenditure by households in India is paid as out-of-pocket and on medicines the single largest component these payments. Increasing longevity rising incidence chronic conditions expected to further increase utilization aggravate associated financial burden. Objectives: This paper quantifies magnitude changes there in, between 2014 2017-18. The looks at across, states, types providers ailments. Method: Repeated cross-sectional analysis using two rounds health surveys National Sample Survey Organization has been used. Results: mean per episode fell from ₹ 4386 3857 for inpatient care 459 418, constant prices, outpatient care. Despite decline expenditure, its share total remained high 49%. private provider was higher that public provider. Medication cancer tuberculosis have highest show an upward trend. A percentage people incur fever, respiratory musculo-skeletal diseases. incurring medication cardio-vascular diseases diabetes increased. Conclusion: fallen, yet remains high. People rely pharmacies. Supply side demand policies needed reduce medicines.