COST-MINIMIZATION ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN INDIA.
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Keywords
Cost-minimization analysis, psychotropic drugs, generic medicines, PMBJP, psychiatry outpatient department
Abstract
Mental disorders impose a substantial burden in India, with high treatment gaps exacerbated by the cost of branded psychotropic medications. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) offers quality-assured generic drugs at significantly lower prices. This study aimed to perform a cost-minimization analysis comparing branded psychotropic prescriptions with their PMBJP generic equivalents in a outpatient department of Psychiatry of Santosh Medical college, Ghaziabad, U.P, India
Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over six months (March 1 to August 31,2025) in the psychiatry OPD of Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, India. A total of 512 prescriptions meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed. Branded drug costs were taken from the hospital pharmacy of Santosh Medical College (lowest-priced brand), while generic prices were sourced from official PMBJP listed maximum retail prices. Costs were calculated per strip (10 tablets/capsules) per single visit and analyzed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel.
Results: The total cumulative branded prescription cost was ₹1,05,633, which reduced to ₹22,502 with generic substitution, yielding a cost saving of ₹83,131 (78.7%). The average cost per prescription decreased from ₹206.34 to ₹44.04. Class-wise cost reductions ranged from 74.5% (mood stabilizers) to 88.5% (Z-drugs), with the highest individual drug savings observed for zolpidem (88.5%), clonazepam (86.9%), and olanzapine (82.2%).
Conclusion: Generic substitution of psychotropic medications under the PMBJP scheme results in substantial cost reductions (nearly 80% overall) in outpatient psychiatric care without compromising therapeutic equivalence. These findings strongly support the promotion of generic prescribing to improve affordability, enhance treatment adherence, and reduce the economic burden on patients with mental disorders in India.
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Vikash Verma
PhD Scholar, Department of Pharmacology, Santosh deemed to be University, Ghaziabad, India.
Dr. Shaktibala Dutta
Professor and HOD, Department of Pharmacology, Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, Dehradun, India
Dr. Brijesh Saran
Associate Professor, Depart of Psychiatry , Santosh Medical College, SDU, Ghaziabad, India.
Dr.Srihari Dutta
Immunization Specialist (Supply chain & Primary Health care), United Nations Children Emergency Fund. MENA, Amman.
