Biologic drugs are used to treat various illnesses like autoimmune diseases, cancers, hormonal irregularities, anemia, etc., and to prevent various diseases as vaccines. Though various biologic drugs are already available, they are still not within reach of the common man due to financial constraints. Through many search engines, studies evaluating the cost variation of different brands of biologics were investigated; however, only a few studies that address this problem were found. Hence, this study was planned with the objective of addressing the cost variation of various brands of biologic medicines available in the Indian market. MethodsThe website for the Current Index of Medical Specialties (CIMS) for India's location was used to obtain the prices of the different brands of biologic medicines in Indian National Rupee (INR) currency, which different manufacturers market with identical forms in strength and dosage. The percentage cost variation and cost ratio were calculated with the help of the minimum and maximum prices of various brands of biologic drugs. ResultsThe prices of biologics belonging to six different classes that are available in 23 formulations were analyzed. The highest cost variability was shown by pegfilgrastim 6 mg at 1,022.92%, and the minimum-cost variation was shown by darbepoetin alfa 200 mcg at 13.07%. ConclusionOur research found a vast variance in the costs of various brands of biologic medicines in India. The government should address this cost variation problem by developing various policies, such as breaking the monopoly of manufacturers, providing tax incentives to nonprofit generic medicine manufacturers, and incorporating more biologic drugs under the protection of the Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO).

Background: Immunosuppressants are used commonly in two conditions: to prevent graft versus host rejection in transplantation and autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune diseases are chronic in nature requiring lifelong treatment. Organ transplantation is also expensive. Therefore, affordability of these medicines is crucial. To address the problem of affordability, government caps the prices of drugs included in National List of Essential Medicines. However, even cost variation among various brands of the drugs included in essential medicine list is of concern as majority of prescriptions are written using brand names. Hence this study was undertaken to evaluate impact of essential medicine list on cost variation of these drugs. Materials and Methods: Immunosuppressant drugs were broadly classified into two categories -drugs listed under National List of Essential Medicines and drugs not included. Prices of the drugs belonging to both the groups were obtained from website "Pharma Sahi Dam" . Later, cost ratio, percentage cost variation was calculated. The multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate association between percentage cost variation and essentiality/number of brands. Results: Immunosuppressant drugs showed wide cost variation. Overall higher cost variation was seen among drugs not included in essential medicine list. This was further substantiated by multiple regression analysis (β = 0.316, p = 0.021). However, number of brands had no effect on cost variation. Conclusion: Hence, to improve affordability of these drugs which are mainstay in autoimmune disorders and organ transplantation, regulatory bodies should widen the inclusion criteria for essential medicine list. Also, efforts are needed to create awareness of cost variation among prescribers.