Cost variation analysis of Oral Hypoglycaemic agents available in Indian market: An Economic Perspective

Introduction: Diabetes, a chronic disorder and requires life-long treatment. Cost of drug treatment is a major hurdle related to medication compliance in Type2 Diabetes Mellitus. Objective: To compare the cost and percentage price variation of single and combination therapy of oral hypoglycaemic agents across the different brands available in the Indian market. Methods: India’s medical research body, particularly Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issue guidelines for the management of T2DM. ICMR guidelines were perused to understand the management of T2DM. Current Index of Medical Specialities (CIMS) Oct.-Jan.2015 edition and Indian Drug Review (IDR) Issue 1, Jan.2015 were used to capture the price of oral hypoglycaemic agents across the different brands available in the Indian market. Percentage price variations between minimum and maximum cost of drugs were computed. Results: In the single drug therapy sulfonylurea group of drugs like Glipizide 5mg shows maximum variation of 780% followed by Glimepiride 2mg formulation by 682%, while the non-sulfonylurea groups of drug say, Pioglitazone 15mg shows maximum variation of 600%. In combination therapy Glimepiride 1mg + Metformin 500mg shows maximum price variation of 533%. Positive correlation exists between the number of manufacturing companies and percentage price variation of drugs. Conclusion: There is wide variation exist between the minimum and maximum cost among single as well as combination therapy of oral hypoglycaemic agents. A maximum of 9 & 6 fold price variation was reported in single and combination therapy respectively.