An Assessment of price variation and economic burden of Antimicrobial Agents in India

Background: Antimicrobial agents form the cornerstone of infectious disease management. In India, wide price variation exists among different brands of the same antimicrobial agent, which may influence prescribing patterns, patient compliance, and antimicrobial resistance.Objective: To evaluate the cost variation among commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents available in the Indian pharmaceutical market and assess its Pharmacoeconomic implications.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional Pharmacoeconomic analysis was conducted using price data collected from standard drug compendia and online pharmaceutical databases. Antimicrobial agents commonly used in clinical practice were selected across various classes. The cost per defined daily dose (DDD) was calculated. Percentage cost variation and cost ratio were used to assess price differences between the least and most expensive brands.Results: Considerable cost variation was observed among antimicrobial agents. Oral formulations showed lower cost variability compared to injectable agents. Broad-spectrum antibiotics and newer agents exhibited higher price differences. The highest cost variation was noted among cephalosporins and Macrolide.Conclusion: Significant price variation exists among antimicrobial agents in India, which may adversely affect affordability and rational drug use. Promoting generic prescribing, price regulation, and Pharmacoeconomic awareness among healthcare professionals can help minimise economic burden and improve patient outcomes.