A cost analysis and availability scenario of drugs and oral care products prescribed for common oral conditions with reference to the current Indian market prices, Jan Aushadhi, and the state medical commissions.

CONTEXT: The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions across various countries varies from 4.9% to 64.7%. The cost barrier is an important factor that prevents people in low-middle income countries from seeking professional help for dental problems.

AIMS: The present study aims to analyze the costs of medicines and oral care products prescribed for common oral lesions and to find the most expensive and the most economic brands.

METHODS AND MATERIAL: The list of medicines and oral care products prescribed for the management of four oral conditions namely, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, oral candidiasis, oral herpes, and gingivitis were taken and their median retail prices, cost variation percentages were calculated from the current Indian market brands. The median retail prices were compared with their corresponding Jan Aushadhi prices. Also, the availability of the drugs and oral care products were evaluated across the state drug procurement lists of Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Bihar.

RESULTS

Wide cost variations were seen in most of the drugs and oral care products. The Jan Aushadhi prices of included drugs were very economical compared to the median market prices. However, the availability of the drugs was less in the Jan Aushadhi list and also in the state medical commission lists.

CONCLUSIONS

The availability of such commonly used drugs in oral conditions has to be ensured in state and central departments by the policy makers. Price regulations of drugs routinely prescribed by dentists will help reduce the overall treatment costs for dental care.