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, Otological disorders, Cost ratioAbstract
Objective: To assess the cost variation of drugs prescribed in the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) OPD (outpatient department) of a tertiary care teaching hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective observational study was conducted among 150 patients in the 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(55.34%) males and 67(44.66%) females. Ear disorders (67.33%) were the most common. A total of 451 drugs were prescribed, with anti-histaminics (22.61%) and antibiotics (21.50%) being most frequently prescribed.Single drugs (58.53%) were prescribed more than fixed dose combinations (41.46%). Most drugs were in tablet form (75.83%), and brand prescribing predominated (~68%).
Cost analysis of 27 drugs showed significant variation, with most drugs (n=12) having 100–499% variation, and 2 drugs exceeding 500%. Oxymetazoline showed the highest cost variation (906.25%) and cost ratio (10.06), followed by ketoconazole (516%) and fexofenadine (398%). Corticosteroids had the highest average cost (₹18.97).
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 affect the patient affordability and compliance. Therefore, prioritising moderately priced generic drugs, and complying with drug price control policies, is important to reduce the financial burden on patients.
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