Analysis of haematinic preparations available in Indian pharmaceutical market

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To analyze the haematinic preparations available in Indian pharmaceutical market according to their dosage forms, iron salts used, rationality, additional     nutrients, frequency of administration and cost of treatment per day. MATERIALS AND METHODS Haematinic preparations listed in Indian Drug Review (2012) were analyzed for their types of dosage form, iron salts used, rationality, content of elemental iron, frequency of administration, additional    nutrients, and cost. Preparations containing iron with or without folic acid or vitamin C were considered as rational formulations. Since the recommended therapeutic dose of iron is 100 to 200 mg elemental iron daily in three divided doses, cost comparison was done by calculating the cost of 100 mg of elemental iron available from each formulation. If information about the type of iron salt, or quantity, or cost were not  available, such formulations were not included for the cost    analysis. Prices of rational iron preparations were compared with that of irrational formulations. RESULTS Out of 511              formulations,287 were oral solid formulations,202 were oral liquids formulations, and 22 were for parenteral                            administration.57 of the solid oral formulations and 60 of the liquid oral formulations were classified under iron, folic acid and others sub group.As many as 71 of the solid oral                        preparations,65 of the liquid oral iron preparations and 9 of       parenteral iron formulations were found to be irrational. Among the 287 oral (solid) iron formulations, we found that 53 would require administration more than three times a day to provide a therapeutic dosage of elemental iron. As compared to the costs of irrational solid formulations(range Rs.1.2 to Rs.92.5),the costs of rational solid formulations(range Rs.6 to Rs.70) was in a  significantly narrow range. However, the average cost of rational products was significantly higher than that of the irrational ones. Formulations containing iron salts like ferrous sulphate, carbonyl iron, and ferrous fumarate are cheaper than formulations   containing other newer iron salts. CONCLUSION The drug  regulation authorities should have a check over the irrational formulations and tune the drug price in such a way that rational formulations cost less than the irrational ones.