Cost analysis of monoclonal antibodies for rheumatoid arthritis used in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Dr. Shariva Ranadive; Dr. Rajmohan Seetharaman; Dr. Prathamesh Pramod Avad; Dr. Aditya Burje

Volume : IX, Issue : X, October - 2019

Cost analysis of monoclonal antibodies for rheumatoid arthritis used in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Dr. Shariva Ranadive, Dr. Rajmohan Seetharaman, Dr. Prathamesh Pramod Avad, Dr. Aditya Burje

Abstract :

Background: Monoclonal antibodies are costly & are the main reasons for poor compliance in India & with increase in number of monoclonal antibody indications, there can be difficulty in prescribing more cost effective and to the patient. Therefore it becomes increasingly necessary to examine issues of comparability across different pharmacological agents as well as individual user costs to influence the compliance of patients. Aim: To evaluate the cost of monoclonal antibodies of different different and names & to analyse price variation among various anti–cancer drugs available in India. Methodology: The Current Index of Medical Specialities android app containing the latest updates was used to analyze the prices of various monoclonal antibodies. The cost of each molecule of different strengths was tabulated and cost range and % price variation were calculated. Results: A wide range of cost variations were seen among different categories of monoclonal antibodies with maximum price variation was observed in Rituximab injection [128.89%]. The least price variation was seen in Toclizumab and Secukinumab. Conclusions: Price control mechanism has an important role and is very much important to reduce the cost burden of treatment particularly in India.