PHARMACOECONOMIC EVALUATION OF ACUTE EXACERBATIONS OF COPD TREATMENT IN A RURAL TERTIARY CARE HSOPITAL

Background: In India because of growing pressure on the healthcare budget, appropriate justification of current expenditures and future investments in public healthcare are becoming a priority. COPD is a major cause of healthcare burden worldwide and it is the one of leading cause of death with increasing the prevalence. Objective: To evaluate the pharmacoeconomic impact of acute COPD exacerbations in a rural tertiary care hospital. Methodology: It is a prospective, observational study conducted in COPD in patients over a period of 9 months. The patients who satisfied the study criteria were enrolled. Results: Over all 50 were enrolled including 42 male and 8 female COPD patients. 60% of patients stayed over a period of 6-10 days in hospital. 4% of patients had a history of duration of illness >10 years. 64% of patients were farmers and only 4% had a monthly income Rs. >10000. 44% had a history of past smoking and 6% were smokers. 34% of patients had co-morbidities with COPD. Minimum total direct medical cost was Rs. 188.79 and maximum was Rs. 9982.12 with a mean +/- SD 2510.51 +/- 1904.11, in which medicine cost was high (mean 1949.21). Minimum total direct non-medical cost was Rs. 10.00 and maximum was Rs. 700.00 with a mean +/- SD 154.16 +/- 166.56, in which travel expenses was high (mean 84.56). Maximum total direct cost was Rs. 10682.12 and minimum was 268.79 with a mean +/- SD 2664.67 +/- 2030.76. Conclusion: This study concluded that, major COPD patients were farmers and they had less monthly income and it was not sufficient for the treatment of acute COPD exacerbations.