Pharmaco-economic Evaluation of Drugs Used in Respiratory Diseases in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Background

Respiratory infections refer to any disease of airways and lungs which affects the respiratory system of humans. The nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles, the tissues of the lungs and the respiratory muscles of chest cage are all susceptible to respiratory system diseases. To evaluate cost-benefit and cost-effective analysis of medications used in respiratory tract diseases, an observational prospective study was conducted for 120 patients.

Materials and Methods

The patient data and other socioeconomic details were collected. The current index of medical specialists, updated version in March 2022, was used for Cost benefit and Cost effectiveness study. Regression analysis was used for the statistical analysis.

Results

Among the 120 participants studied, 74 (61.66%) were male and 46 (38.34%) were female. Out of these participants, 89 had a C/B ratio of less than 1,30 had a C/B ratio greater than 1 and 1 had a C/B ratio equal to 1. The Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) of various drugs indicated that among bronchodilators, Asthalin is more cost-effective than Duolin; among corticosteroids, Budecort is more cost-effective than Hydrocort; and among anti-tuberculosis medications, AKT-4 is more cost-effective than Ethambutol.

Conclusion

The common medications prescribed in our study were Asthalin (bronchodilators). Out of 120 study participants 89 patients were cost benefited from the treatment. The CEA results showed that Asthalin, Budecort and AKT-4 are more cost-effective than Duolin, Hydrocort and Ethambutol. The study found that Asthalin is the most effective treatment for respiratory tract diseases among participants, according to CBA and CEA.