Cost variation analysis of agents used to treat hyper pigmentation available in the Indian market

Background: Hyperpigmentation is a condition in which patches of skin become darker in colour; usually treated by various topical, oral and injectable agents. Very few studies have been done to analyse their cost variation, despite a number of agents in various dosage forms being freely available in India. Thus, this study was designed to their compare cost ratio and percentage cost variation. Methods: The maximum and minimum price of each brand of the agents used to treat hyperpigmentation, in INR per unit, was noted by using ‘CIMS’ 2023-24 issue, Indian Drug Review Triple I Compendium Issue 6 (2024)) and NPPA’s ‘Pharma Sahi Daam’ website. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation for individual drug brands was calculated and compared. Results: A total of 520 brands (207 single and 313 combination-agent) were analysed, comprising a total of 109 formulations. Across all dosage forms, the percentage cost variation and cost ratio were maximum for injection glutathione 500mg and minimum for tranexamic acid 3% gel. For topical single-agent formulations, the highest cost ratio of 8.54 and variation of 753.93% were observed for hydroquinone 2% cream (7 brands). Among combination agents with known concentrations, hydroquinone + mometasone + tretinoin 2/0.1/0.025% cream (48 brands), showed the highest cost ratio and variation of 14.06 and 1305.52% respectively. Conclusions: Out of total 109 formulations, 48 had cost variation of more than 100%. The prescribing physicians should be aware of this disparity in cost of the agents to reduce the economic burden of treatment.