LAUSR

In this context, Singal et al.[6] described an interesting study. These authors compared branded and nominally branded generic versions of the same drug manufactured and formulated by the same company [see the next section and Box 2 for definitions of terms]. The drugs selected were cetirizine, fluoxetine, ciprofloxacin, lansoprazole, and alprazolam. At the retailer level, the mark-up for branded The high cost of some medicines in India has made the treatment of many common and uncommon diseases unaffordable to the poor and a strain on the budgets of even middle-class citizens. For patients who suffer from diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and who may need certain medicines for months or even the rest of their lives, newer antidiabetic, anticoagulant, and other medicines may cost more than Rs. 100 a day, each; and for those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the cost of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) may range from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 100,000 a month, depending on the DMT. Clearly, the cost of some medicines, especially to poorer patients and those who require long-term or lifelong treatment, is a matter of concern.