Aim: The current study was performed to analyse the percentage of cost variations of commonly prescribing antihypertensive medications among different brands of same drugs in India.

Materials and Methods: The data of cost of commonly used antihypertensive drugs were collected from CIMS and IDR, which may provide accurate drug information. Additionally the drug prices are also checked in retail pharmacy. Data about the cost of oral antihypertensive drugs were collected as cost per 10 tablets in same strength and same dosage forms that was manufactured from different companies and they were compared to find the variation of cost. Combinations of drugs were excluded from the study. Cost ratio and percentage of cost were calculated using applicable formulae.

Results: Out of 23 drugs of different doses without combination Tablet Amlodipine (5 mg) shows the maximum price variation of 460%, followed by Tablet Enalapril  (10 mg) 374.28%, Tablet Olmesartan (20 mg) 404.41%, Tablet Amlodipine (5 mg) 460% and Tablet Atenolol 100 mg 424.66% variation.

Conclusion: The study reveals that there was a huge variation of cost in drugs which was manufactured from various pharmaceutical companies. Hence physicians can prescribe the drugs in generic forms. An awareness must be created about the maximum variation of cost to the physicians, pharmacist and health care management to our economic benefits for patients and increase their benefits of therapy.

Keywords: Cost, Antihypertensive drugs, Brands, Physician, Benefits.

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S Sabishruthi

Department of Pharmacy Practice, Jaya College of Paramedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Thiruninravur, Chennai – 602024, India