Assessment of the Cost Differences and Variability of Medicines for the Treatment of Heart Failure in India

Introduction: Heart failure, a global health concern affecting millions, has varying prevalence, classifications, and treatments. Standard therapy includes ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and diuretics. Newer options like ARNIs and sinoatrial node modulators are recommended. There is no previous research on cost disparity in heart failure medication in India. The objective of this research, which aims at reducing treatment costs, increasing adherence to therapy and using medicines more carefully, is to assess the differences in cost between various medicinal products.

Methods: The maximum and minimum price of each brand of the drugs given in Indian rupees (INR) was noted by using ‘Drug Today’ (January to April 2023, volume II). The cost range, cost ratio, and the percentage cost variation for individual drug brands were calculated. The cost of tablets/capsule was calculated and the cost ratio and percentage cost variation of various brands was compared.

Results: After calculation of cost ratio and percentage cost variation for each brands of drug used in the management of Heart failure, tab Propranolol (40 mg) had a maximum percentage cost variation of 678% and a cost ratio of 7.78 while tab Candesartan (8 mg) had a minimum percentage cost variation of 006% and cost ratio of 1.06. Ideally we use the drug which cost ratio less than 2 and percentage cost variation less than 100.

Conclusions: There is a wide variation in the price of different brands of drug used in the management of Heart failure available in India. The clinicians prescribing these drugs should be aware of these variations to reduce the financial burden of drug therapy and improve compliance.