Knowledge of prescribers regarding cost of pediatric medications
Christo, G.G.; Desai, P.; Krishna, R.C.; Venkatesh, A.
Indian Pediatrics 27(1): 83-85
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 2361748 Document Number: 377499
The cost of medications affects patient compliance with treatment regimes, and it is of prime importance for poor patients and children. The knowledge of the cost of prescription drugs was studied with the participation of 81 respondents: 18 senior medical students, 11 junior and 23 postgraduate students in pediatrics, 6 pediatric faculty members, and 12 private pediatricians and general practitioners. A questionnaire contained 10 preparations by generic name; and brand name, unit size, and cost of preparations prescribed regularly by the respondents had to be named. The drugs were categorized as commonly used drugs, infrequently used drugs, and non-drugs. The answers on cost were evaluated as correct (within 25% of correct price), underestimated, overestimated, and no-response. After a preliminary analysis interns and junior postgraduates as well as pediatric faculty and private physicians were grouped together. A statistically significant (p.001) improvement of the level of knowledge of drug prices with increasing experience was found: ampicillin, hematinics, and cough syrup prices were better known than the prices of infrequently prescribed drugs (valproic acid, MMR vaccine). Correct responses were 10.6% for medical students, 19.6% for interns and junior postgraduates, 33.5% for senior postgraduates, and 62.2% for pediatricians and general practitioners. 74% of senior medical students had no idea of the prices of most drugs. It is proposed that the prices of medications should be discussed during undergraduate and postgraduate training, as there are huge differences between the costs of different brands listed in the Indian Pharmaceutical Guide, and patients are entitled to the lowest cost drug possible.