Cost of bilharzia treatment
Morton, J.R.
South African Medical Journal 83(12): 919
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 8115927 Document Number: 419927
Following a letter from O'Mahoney (South African Medical Journal (1993), 83, 612) on the cost of bilharzia treatment, it is pointed out that the 2 forms of praziquantel available in South Africa are priced differently. Biltricide (Bayer) costs R311.95 for 10 X 600 mg tablets and Cysticide (Merck) R657.87 for 100 x 500 mg tablets. It is asked why Biltricide should cost 5.2 and Cysticide 1.3 cents/mg. In their reply, Bayer (Pty) Ltd, Pharmaceutical Division, state that the dosage regimen for schistosomiasis and neurocysticercosis differ significantly, and the design of their packaging reflects this difference.