Financial implications of protocol-based hypertension treatment: an insight into medication costs in public and private health sectors in India

This study estimated the annual medication cost per patient for three hypertension treatment protocols (protocol-1 and protocol-2 using Amlodipine, Telmisartan, and Chlorthalidone; protocol-3 using a single-pill combination (SPC) of Amlodipine/Telmisartan) in India's public and private sectors. The private sector cost ranged from $33.88–$58.44 for protocols 1 and 2, and $51.57–$68.83 for protocol-3. Generic stores offered lower costs ($5.78–$9.57 and $7.35–$9.89 respectively), while the public sector had the lowest cost ($2.05–$3.89 and $2.94–$3.98 respectively). The study concludes that protocol-based hypertension control is cost-effective, particularly in the public sector, and expanding generic retail networks could improve affordability in the private sector. The cost of SPC treatment is comparable to non-SPC protocols, offering advantages in logistics and adherence.

Swagata Kumar Sahoo, Anupam Khungar Pathni, Ashish Krishna, Bhawna Sharma, Danielle Cazabon, Andrew E. Moran, Dagmara Hering