Volume: 45 Issue: 3
Year: 2025, Page: 248-252, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51248/v45i3.140
Received: June 24, 2025 Accepted: Sept. 20, 2025 Published: Sept. 27, 2025
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder requiring long-term treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). However, high costs and price variations among different brands pose significant barriers to treatment adherence in India. Objective: To analyse cost variations among different brands of bDMARDs available in the Indian market. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from the Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS). The maximum retail prices (MRP) of various bDMARDs (e.g., etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) were collected. Cost ratio and percentage variation were calculated using descriptive statistics as per mahajan's method in biostatistics.
Results: The highest cost variation was observed in etanercept 25 mg (402%), with a cost ratio of 5.03, while infliximab 100 mg showed the least variation (28%, ratio: 1.5). Conclusion: Significant price disparities exist among bDMARD brands in India, affecting affordability. Policy interventions such as price regulation, promotion of biosimilars, and differential pricing strategies are needed to improve access
Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, bDMARDs, cost variation, pharmacoeconomics
Jeyarajumanickam R, Roopa P Nayak, Chaitra S R, Nagapati P Bhat. Cost Variation Analysis of Biological Agents (bDMARDs) Used in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Indian Market. Biomedicine: 2025, 45(3): 248-252