Pharmacoeconomic Analysis of Treating Gynecological Cancer with Different Regimens Using the Cheapest and Costliest Brand of Drugs Marketed in India

Background/purpose of the study Globally, gynaecological cancer is an important malignancy and chemotherapy is an essential component of the standard treatment modality. The purpose of the study was to determine the cost minimization analysis by comparing the price of the most expensive and least expensive branded drugs used in the treatment of gynaecological cancer in India, considering body surface area relevant to the Indian context. Methods This was a conventional pharmacoeconomic study designed to determine the lowest possible cost. We compared the prices of the most and least expensive branded drugs from the Current Index of Medical Stores. Also cost of anticancer drugs available in Jan Aushadi stores was also considered for the study. The cost difference, cost ratio and percentage of change in costs were all calculated in accordance with the standard formula. All drugs and the therapeutic regimens (chemo-radiation regimens and chemotherapy) used in the treatment of gynaecological cancer were analysed to understand the cost difference for the treatment regimens. Results The results indicate that while all anticancer drugs used in the treatment of gynecalogical cancers were available in both costliest and cheapest brand category, bevacizumab and liposomal doxorubicin were unavailable in the Jan Aushadhi stores. The paclitaxel carboplatin regimen had the biggest cost variation between the costliest brand and Jan Aushadhi (Rs. 81,273). The paclitaxel carboplatin bevacizumab regimen had the greatest cost difference (Rs 14,61,646), while weekly cisplatin (Rs 4017) showed less variance. When replacing the most expensive branded pharmaceuticals with cheaper brands or Jan Aushadhi drugs, the cisplatin paclitaxel regimen cost 4.8 to 9.5 times less (Rs 107,655 vs Rs 54,414.4 vs Rs 13,464). For single-agent chemotherapy, substituting the most expensive branded medications with cheaper or Jan Aushadhi products saved money as follows: paclitaxel 37,266 to 55,149; carboplatin Rs 5,556 to Rs 26,124; and liposomal doxorubicin 22,804. Conclusion The results indicate a huge difference between the costly and the cheapest branded and Jan Aushadhi anticancer drugs and based regimens in treating gynaecological cancer.