Daily cost of ophthalmic solutions for treating glaucoma in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a study of the daily cost of various ophthalmic solutions used in Japan for treating glaucoma: beta-adrenergic blockers (11 products), epinephrine (3), cholinergics (3), prostaglandins (2), and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (2).


METHODS
The total number of drops in one bottle of each solution was counted drop by drop. The cost per drop was calculated by dividing the government-controlled standard prices by the total number of drops in one bottle. The daily cost of therapy was calculated by multiplying the cost per drop by the number of drops typically used per day.


RESULTS
The average cost of each preparation was calculated based on the prices and the daily usage. The daily cost of the beta-adrenergic blockers studied ranged widely, from $0.43 to $1.04.


CONCLUSIONS
These data may be useful in selecting ophthalmic products for glaucoma therapy in Japan.
Ikeda
H
H
Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
Sato
E
E
Kitaura
T
T
Fukuchi
H
H
Kimura
Y
Y
Kihira
K
K
D000322:Adrenergic Agonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016527:Drug Costs; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000322:Adrenergic Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011453:Prostaglandins