Cost variation analysis of various brands of topical eye preparations currently available in Indian pharmaceutical market

Background: Ocular drug delivery is a complex drug delivery system, and topical administration being the most frequently employed route of drug delivery in eye diseases. Many topical eye preparations are sold under brand names. The variation in the costs of the same drug and inadequate information on quality and bio-equivalence makes it difficult for the physician to prescribe the most cost-effective treatment. The objective of this study was to analyse the cost variation in different brands of commonly used topical eye preparations in India.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in Rupees (INR) of particular topical eye preparations manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies in the same strength were noted. The percentage cost variation and cost ratio were calculated for each brand.Results: The costs of the total of 19 topical eye preparations available in 26 different formulations in India were analysed and a substantial variation in cost was observed. Of 19 drug formulations studied, the percentage cost variation of 10 drug formulations was more than 100% out of which one had more than 1000% variation. Cost ratio was also observed to be very high and 10 drug formulations had this ratio more than two.Conclusions: There is a wide variation in the prices of different brands, so there is an urgent need to raise the awareness of physicians about cost variation to lower the financial burden on patients

Pattern and pharmacotherapy of acute poisonings presenting to a tertiary care centre

Background: Acute poisoning, a therapeutic emergency and one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality globally. The rate of mortality in developed countries range from 1-2%, but in India it varies between 15-30%. According to World Health Organization (WHO), globally more than three million acute poisoning cases with 2,20,000 deaths occur annually. Most of the fatalities are due to the victim not reaching the hospital in time. This study aims to evaluate the pattern of acute cases of poisoning in tertiary care hospital attached to BMCRI.Methods: Prospective, observational study based on hospital records at tertiary care hospital (twelve months). Data regarding demographic profile and treatment was collected. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS-24.Results: Out of a total of 810 poisoning cases, 608 were included (381 poisoning, 138 drug overdose and 89 snake bite). Organophosphorus compounds (OPC) (131/608) and Aluminium phosphide (43/608) were the commonest poisons consumed in the age group 21-30 years. Sedative-hypnotics, non-benzodiazepine antiepileptics (non BZD AEDs) and paracetamol were common drug overdose cases. Snake bite accounted for 14.6%.Conclusions: OP compounds were the most common among poisons, while sedatives-hypnotics were frequently consumed drugs, followed by Snake bite. Young adults from urban areas were the common victims with suicidal intention. This reflects the need for stringent rules regarding the availability and sale of drugs and poisonous substances