Publication:

Study of price variation analysis of fluoroquinolones eye drops manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies in India

Background Fluoroquinolone eye drops is being prescribed by Opthalmologist in many ocular diseases as conjunctivitis, keratitis, bacterial corneal ulcers etc in more and more amount. There are many brands of fluoroquinolones drugs available in Indian market. Costly drugs can lead to economic burden on patients. Modifications in pharmaceutical policy are required, and prices of the drug should be controlled in effective way for all the drugs. Hence this study was done to assess the cost variation of fluoroquinolones opthalmic solutions available in Indian market.

Methods The maximum and minimum price of each brand of the drug in INR was noted by using CIMS January to April 2020 edition and Drug Today April to June 2020 volume 1. The cost ratio and the percentage cost variation for individual drug brands was calculated. The cost of each eye drop was calculated. At last the cost ratio and percentage cost variation of various brands was compared.

Results Percentage variation in cost for fluoroquinolones eye preparations marketed in India was found to be Eye drop Ciprofloxacin (0.3%) of 5 ml:210.39, Eye drop Ciprofloxacin (0.3%) of 10 ml:162, Eye drop Gatifloxacin (0.3%) of 5 ml:156, Eye drop Moxifloxacin (0.5%) of 5 ml:196.95, Eye drop Ofloxacin (0.3%) of 5 ml:245.16, Eye drop Ofloxacin (0.3%) of 10 ml:62.5, Eye drop Norfloxacin (0.3%) of 5 ml:120.68, Eye drop Sparfloxacin (0.3%):8.31, Eye drop Lomefloxacin (0.3%):16.17.

Conclusions There is a wide difference in the cost of different brands of fluoroquinolones eye preparations available in India. The clinicians prescribing these drugs should be aware of these variations in cost to reduce the cost of drug therapy.