Comparison of prices of medicines

Abstract

International price comparisons may be used to evaluate affordability and accessibility of medicines in specific countries. Comparisons of prices of medicines can help identify factors determining availability of medicines on the market in different countries. The aim of the study was to compare prices of generic medicines indicated for cardiovascular and respiratory disease available for retail in the community pharmacy in Malta with other European countries that have comparable pharmaceutical policies and accessible retail prices of medicines. Prices of medicines were collected from 5 countries: Malta, Greece, North Macedonia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom for twenty-seven generic medicines (cardiovascular disease, n=18 and respiratory disease, n=9). Medicine prices were converted to Euro and analyzed per unit dosage form. The study found that the prices of the medicines ranged from €0.17 to €1.27 per unit dosage form for cardiovascular disease medicines and €0.01 to €0.92 per unit dosage form for respiratory disease medicines. Malta had highest retail price per unit dosage form for thirteen medicines indicated for cardiovascular disease and for eight medicines indicated for respiratory disease. The variation in prices across the countries is attributed to different factors.