Revista de Cuidados Farmacêuticos e Sistemas de Saúde
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Pharmacoeconomics of Selected Essential Medicines for Chronic Diseases in Bhiwani District, Haryana, India

Shashikant, Anjali Goyal, Seema Chhokar, Rajesh Kumar and Neeraj Gilhotra

Introduction: Medicines represent a substantial proportion of the economic costs for treating chronic diseases. In low and middle income countries (LMIC) 50–90% of the population have to pay for medicines themselves. Inappropriate access and availability of essential medicines contribute substantially to out-of-budget expense. A significant population of developing countries (up to 90%) purchase medicines through out-of-pocket payments. This research study was conducted to investigate the comparative availability and relative price to patient for selected essential medicines used in the treatment of chronic diseases in Bhiwani district. Material and methods: A research study on availability and price to patient for selected essential medicines used in the treatment of chronic diseases was conducted. Standardized methodology of World Health Organization and Health Action International was employed. The research study was conducted on retail pharmacy outlets of Bhiwani District, i.e., residential areas of Bhiwani city and five administrative areas of Bhiwani district. Results:Overall percent availability of the most of the surveyed medicines used in the treatment of chronic diseases was found to be less than 50%. Huge difference in price of brands/generics was found in different administrative areas for a single brand/generic of each surveyed medicine. Conclusions: Dissemination of well documented information on availability and relative price to medicine consumers in all residential areas may enhance consumer demand for lower price medicine and thus may serve to enhance the availability of demanded medicine (lowest priced) in all the areas of Bhiwani district.