Abstract

COST VARIATION ANALYSIS OF STATINS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

Deepak C. G., Mon I. Ka Lhuid, Rashmi and Noah M. Bose*

ABSTRACT

Background: The cost of medicine play a vital role in adherence to a long term use of medications such as statin which is used in the treatment of dyslipidemia and thus prevents cardiovascular risks. Method: This is a prospective observational study, conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital by the department of Pharmacology, during September 2019 to March 2020. 412 cases were collected on the basis of patients using statin prescriptions. Patient’s medical history, diagnosis, statin’s brand name, generic name, dosage which also includes details of fixed combination of statin preparations. The price of statins were calculated cost per 10 tablets/ 10 capsules in rupees using Current Index of Medical Specialties. Result: In hospital, a total number of 18 different brands of statins were prescribed in which 10 brands belong to Atorvastatin followed by Rosuvastatin and Simvastatin with 6 and 2 brands respectively. Highest price variation was seen with Atorvastatin 5 mg (245.29%) while lowest price variation was seen with Rosuvastatin 20 mg (3.75%) In the fixed dose combinations, 19 different brands of statins were used with maximum combinations of atorvastatin (98%). Highest price variation was found with Rosuvastatin and Clopidogrel 10/75 mg (128.57%) while lowest price variation was noticed with Atorvastatin and Aspirin 20/150 mg (7.59%). No cases were identified for using Simvastatin combination therapy Conclusion: A wide range of cost of statin preparations are available in today's market. Most common statin preparations used was found to be fixed combination of Atorvastatin and Aspirin with a low percentage of cost variation.

Keywords: Dyslipidemia, cardiovascular risks, cost minimization, high density statin, price variation.