E-DRUG: Drug Prices

e-drug
1

E-drug: Drug Prices
---------------------------------------------

I am trying to collate information regarding comparative costs of
drugs globally. There is a notion (often mistaken) in India, that
Drugs in India are cheaper. Because of India's Patent Laws which
still does not allow Product Patents on pharmaceuticals, Patent
protected drugs "are" cheaper in India. But my limited study on
comparative prices show that the same is not the case for Drugs
that are off Patents. This is an important point which requires to be
driven home, as an overwhelming majority of Essential Drugs in
India are drugs that are off-Patents globally.

If it is true that off-Patent Drugs are more expensive in India, it
means:
1) Drug Companies are inflating their Cost Data in order to over
price Drugs.
2) There is a major element of technology obsolescence in the
industry, leading to increased cost of production.

In this context I require help from all those who have access to
data regarding drug prices of essential drugs. Specifically, I need
the prices (Retail) of the following drugs from as many countries
as possible. If the source for this information can be mentioned, it
will be very useful.

Amoxycillin (250 mg)
Ampicillin (250 mg)
Erythromycin (250 mg)
Cephalexin (250 mg)
Doxycycline (100 mg)
Co-Trimoxazole (480 mg)
Propanolol (40 mg)
Atenolol (50 mg)
Nifedipine (10 mg)
Verapramil (40 mg)
Frusemide (40 mg)
Salbutamol (4 mg)
Prednisolone (10 mg)
Dexamethasone (0.5 mg)
Metronidazole (400 mg)
Tinidazole (500 mg)
Mebendazole (10 mg)
Domperidone (10 mg)
Metclorpropamide (10 mg)
Rifampicin (450 mg)
Ethambutol (800 mg)
INH (300 mg)
Inj. Streptomycin (1 gm.)
Parcaetamol/Acetaminophen (500 mg)
Ibuprofen (400 mg)
Diclofenac (50 mg)
Glibenclamide (5 mg)
Diazepam (5 mg)
Aprazolam (0.25 mg)
Haloperidol (0.25 mg)
Phenobarbitone (30 mg)
Phenytoin Sod. (100 mg)
Carbamazepine (200 mg)

I know the list is pretty large, but I do need to analyse prices of a
large number of drugs to make a strong case for stricter Price
Controls for essential Drugs.

Thanks

Dr.Amit Sen Gupta
National Campaign Committee for Drug Policy
New Delhi, India.
E-mail: <ctddsf@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in>

[It may be an idea to start using the below listed price catalogues
(especially the first one). Hilbrand Haak, E-drug moderator]

1. International Price Indicator Guide. Updated once a year.
  US$ 25.00

     Management Sciences for Health
     1655 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 920, Arlington, Virginia
     22209, USA.
     fax +1-703-5247898

2. IDA Price Indicator. (free)

     IDA
     P.O. Box 3098
     1003 AB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
     tel: +31-20-403.3051; fax: +31-20-403.1854

3. UNICEF Price catalogue. Updated 2x per year. (free)

     UNICEF
     2 UN Plaza, New York, USA
3. UNICEF Price catalogue. Updated 2x per year. (free)

     UNICEF
     2 UN Plaza, New York, USA
--
Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.
Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'.
For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.