Abstract
Purpose:
To calculate the cost of topical glaucoma medications in Mexico.
Methods:
Ten bottles of the common brand name glaucoma medications in Mexico were included in this study. All the bottles were analyzed to obtain the number of drops and volume in milliliters of each drug collecting it in a glass graduated cylinders. We determined the average wholesale price (AWP) and common doping patterns of each medication, we determined the theoretical cost per year for each drop. Cost per day was calculated by dividing the AWP by the number of drops in each bottle and multiplying by the total average number of drops prescribed daily in both eyes. Annual cost was calculated by multiplying the cost per day by 365.
Results:
Number of drops per milliliter varied among medications. Annual cost of medications had a wide range depending on the volume and common dose of each medication. Yearly cost of PGA’s for a single daily drop was, for Lumigan 3 ml (Allergan Inc.) $208.39, Travatan 2.5 ml (Alcon Lab) $285.15, and Gaap 3ml (Sophia Lab) $268.05. For twice daily dose Piobaj 5 ml (Grin lab) and Azopt 5 ml (Alcon Lab) was $ 313.27 and $378.78, respectively. Alphagan 5 ml (Allergan Inc) $578.67, Agglad 5ml (Sophia Lab) $214.48, Nortenz 5ml (Grin Lab) $281.92. Anhigot 10 ml (Grin Lab) $147.87, Cosopt 5ml (Merck & Co Inc) $317.49, Azarga $435.16. Combigan 5 ml (Allergan Inc) $732.00. Krytan tek (Sophia Lab) $291.67.
Conclusions:
The more expensive drugs were the ones with combinations of medications and from these, the combinations containing PGA’s were less expensive. All glaucoma medications increased their prices in a 4 year period, which was not directly related with the yearly cost of each medication. Therefore, every physician must consider several factors before prescribing a drug for glaucoma treatment not only the price but also adverse effects, systemic diseases, effect of medications and especially, compliance in order to prescribe the best drug for each patient.
Keywords: 460 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower