Background: Indian drug market has large numbers of branded formulations for every drug molecule. 1 Cost-sensitive healthcare environment has created a challenging workplace for clinicians. Efficient use of healthcare resources without compromising quality of patient care has been a challenging task for healthcare professionals. There is a wide range of variation in the prices of drugs marketed in India. Thus, a study was planned to analyse out cost variations of antiepileptic drugs available in Indian market.Methods: Minimum and maximum costs in Rupees (INR) of different brands of same generic antipsychotic drugs, in the same strength and dosage forms were compared. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were calculated for each generic antipsychotic drug. The number of formulations for antipsychotic drugs and number of brands for each of them were also taken into consideration.Results: This study shows that in Indian market, there are wide variations in the prices of different brands of same generic antipsychotic drug. The highest cost ratio and percent cost variation was found for risperidone 2 mg [(1:16.27) and 1527.48], followed by risperidone 4 mg [(1:16.25) and 1525.25], risperidone 3 mg [(1:15.67) and 1467.33], risperidone 1 mg [(1:14.86) and 1386.78], olanzapine 10 mg [(1:12.36) and 1136.84], and olanzapine 5 mg [(1:12.31) and 1130.76]. Highest number of brands of antipsychotic drug available in Indian market are for divalproex sodium 500mg(25) followed by olanzapine 15 mg(23), olanzapine 5 mg(23), olanzapine 2.5mg(14), and risperidone 1 mg (14). Highest numbers of formulations of antipsychotic drug available in Indian market are for olanzapine(06), quetiapine(05), haloperidol(05), and aripiprazole(05).Conclusions: In Indian market, the average percentage price variation of different brands of the same oral antipsychotic drugs is very wide. Treatment with antipsychotic drugs usually has a long course with treatment adherence being a crucial factor for successful treatment. Improved adherence to the drug treatment can be ensured by decreasing the cost of therapy. Decreased drug cost expenditure can be ensured by changes in the government policies and regulations, integrating pharmacoeconomics as part of medical education curriculum, and creating awareness among treating physicians for switching to cost effective therapy.

Background: Hypertension has been termed the silent killer; an asymptomatic chronic disorder that, if undetected and untreated, silently damages the blood vessels, heart, brain, and kidneys. In India, hypertension is emerging as a major health problem and is more prevalent in urban than in rural subjects. Hypertension is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease deaths in India. Aims and Objectives: To compare the efficacy of telmisartan and ramipril as an antihypertensive in mild to moderate hypertension. Materials and Methods: This study was a hospital-based prospective, randomized, comparative, observational study conducted over a period of 1-year. For the purpose of this study, equal numbers of mild to moderate hypertensive patients were randomly allocated equally between two groups: one group on telmisartan and the other group on ramipril. Patients were assessed for the blood pressure (BP) reduction during follow-up period of 6-month. Results: In both telmisartan and ramipril groups, there was a significant reduction of systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean BP (MBP) from beginning to the end of study (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in reduction of SBP and MBP during 4-12 weeks (P < 0.001) between telmisartan and ramipril group but no significant difference in the reduction of SBP and MBP in both drug groups was seen at the end of the study. Conclusion: Both telmisartan and ramipril groups were similar and comparable with regards to their SBP and DBP. In both telmisartan and ramipril groups, there was a significant reduction of SBP, DBP, and MBP from beginning to the end of study (P < 0.001).

Background: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of the global burden of disease. Hypertension has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD), congestive heart failure (CHF), ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, renal failure, and peripheral arterial disease. Majority of the hypertensive population are still either untreated or inadequately treated. Aims and objectives of the study were to compare ramipril alone and in combination with telmisartan as an antihypertensive in mild to moderate hypertension.Methods: This study was a hospital based prospective, comparative randomized, observational study conducted over a period of one year. The subjects of this study had mild to moderate hypertension selected from outpatient department of department of General Medicine of a tertiary care hospital. For the purpose of this study, equal numbers of subjects were randomly allocated equally between two groups: one group on ramipril alone and the other group on combination of ramipril and telmisartan. Patients were assessed for the blood pressure (BP) reduction during follow-up period of 6-months.Results: Ramipril alone and in combination with telmisartan, both were associated with significant reduction of systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean BP (MBP) from beginning to the end of study. Combination of ramipril with telmisartan was more effective than ramipril in lowering SBP during 4 to 12 weeks but at the end of study both drug groups were found to be equally effective antihypertensive. Both ramipril alone and in combination with telmisartan were equally effective in lowering DBP and MBP from beginning to end of study.Conclusions: There was a significant reduction of SBP, DBP, and MBP from beginning to the end of study with both ramipril alone and in combination with telmisartan. Ramipril alone and in combination with telmisartan, both were equally effective antihypertensive for mild to moderate hypertension.

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