Drug Cost Analysis of Cytotoxic Drugs used to Treat Gastrointestinal Cancers with Different Regimens using the Cheapest and Costliest Brand of Drugs Marketed in India

Background: Chemotherapy plays a vital role in the management of gastrointestinal malignancies. Nonetheless, the high cost of the medication presents a considerable challenge for most individuals in India. A cost minimization analysis was performed by comparing the expenses associated with the most expensive and least expensive branded, and Jan Aushadi (JA) medications drugs for the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, using Body Surface Area (BSA) relevant to the Indian context. Methods: The prices for the most expensive and least expensive branded and JA medicines were obtained from the chosen reference sites. The cost difference (CD), cost ratio (CR), and percentage of cost variation (PCV) are outlined in accordance with the guidelines of the cost minimization study. Results: Fourteen commonly used chemotherapy regimens were analysed. The FOLFIRI Regimen exhibited the highest variation of Rs 684,204. Maximum variation in cost between the costliest and JA medications was noted for the capecitabine-oxaliplatin regimen (Rs 332,430). The least variation in cost among the costliest and cheapest branded drugs was Rs 16,452, for the Cisplatin-5 Fluorouracil Regimen. The least variation in cost between the costliest and JA medications was noted for Cisplatin-5 Fluorouracil regimen (Rs 12,523.3). JA medications also resulted in a cost savings of 1.2–12.5 times for Imatinib compared to the most expensive branded counterparts. Conclusions: The findings indicate that there is a considerable difference between the most expensive and least expensive branded anticancer medications and regimens, as well as JA. This study, the first in the realm of gastrointestinal cancers, underscores the economic advantages associated with the utilization of generic chemotherapeutic agents.