Analysis of fixed dose combinations and price variations of oral antidiabetic agents in the Indian pharmaceutical market

The objective of this study was to analyse the price variations of Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) of oral antidiabetic agents in India to highlight the percentage price variations among different brands offering the same formulations of oral antidiabetic FDCs. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder requiring consistent medication for blood glucose control. The wide cost variation among antidiabetic agents affects patient access and adherence, underscoring the importance of evaluating price differences to support affordable, effective diabetes management. This analytical study was conducted from August to September 2024, reviewing prices of 118 formulations across 34 oral antidiabetic FDCs sourced from the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority’s (NPPA) ‘Pharma Sahi Daam’ a public database. FDCs produced by multiple manufacturers were included, excluding single manufacturers. Microsoft Excel 2021 was used throughout the analysis. Among two-drug combinations, the highest percentage cost variation was observed in glimepiride + metformin (2mg + 1000mg) as 15958.33% and the lowest variation was found with empagliflozin + metformin as 0%. For three-drug combinations, the highest price variation was founded in voglibose + metformin + glimepiride (0.3mg + 500mg + 1mg) as 209900% and the least price variation was found in dapagliflozin + linagliptin + metformin (10mg + 5mg + 500mg) as 0%. The highest brand availability was recorded for glimepiride + metformin with 447 brands, and the lowest for pioglitazone + vildagliptin and teneligliptin + dapagliflozin, with only 2 brands each. This study highlights significant price variations among oral antidiabetic FDCs in India, which can affect patient’s treatment adherence. These findings underscore the need for intervention by regulatory authorities to enforce stricter measures in the pharmaceutical market to manage these price variations.