Cost Variation of Prescription for Patients Attending OPD in Otolaryngology Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2026v18i8.59372Keywords:
Cost Variation, Drug utilization, ENT disorders, Ontological disorders, cost ratioAbstract
Background:
In a developing nation like India, Ear, Nose and Throat(ENT) disorders are highly prevalent and affect quality of life. They are commonly treated with antibiotics, anti-histaminics, nasal decongestants, corticosteroids and antifungals. This study analyses the cost variation of ENT prescriptions for patients attending OPD in otolaryngology department of a tertiary care center.
Methods:
A cross-sectional, prospective observational study was carried out among 150 patients in ENT OPD at MGM Medical College, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Drug formulations were analyzed and percentage cost variation was calculated.
Results:
The mean age of 150 ENT OPD patients was 36.50 ± 14.36 years, with 83 males and 67 females. The most commonly prescribed class of drugs were anti-histaminics (22.61%) and antibiotics (21.50%). The majority of prescriptions were written inbrand names.Themost common conditions were ontological, followed by rhinological, and laryngological.
A cost of 27 ENT drugsrevealed significant price variation, with twodrugs reaching< 500% and the majority ofdrugs showing variations between 100 and 499.99%. Oxymetazoline, ketoconazole, amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, ambroxol, and fexofenadine were found to have high cost ratios, showing notable price variations in ENT drugs.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the importance of pharmacoeconomic assessment in conventional ENT treatment. There is wide inter-brand price variation among commonly prescribed ENT drugs, such large disparities affects the patient affordability and compliance. Therefore, prioritising moderately priced generic drugs, and complying to drug price control policies, is important to reduce the financial burden on patients.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Raheba Ummati Shaikh, Assistant professor , Professor and HOD
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