Daily cost of glaucoma medications in China.
OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare the daily cost of various glaucoma medications in China.


METHODS
The majority of glaucoma medications commercially available in China were included in this research. The total number of drops in 1 bottle of each medication was counted drop by drop. The mean volume per bottle of each medication was calculated. The cost per drop, number of days for both eyes usage per bottle, and daily cost was calculated.


RESULTS
(1) The volume per drop ranged from 0.03 mL (brinzolamide 1%, travoprost 0.004%, bimatoprost 0.03%, and latanoprost 0.005%) to 0.05 mL (timolol 0.5%-Chengrui and pilocarpine 0.5% and 2%-Zhenrui). (2) The cost per bottle ranged from $0.69 (US dollar) (timolol 0.5%-Malaisuan Saimaluo'er) to $40.78 (latanoprost 0.005%). (3) The number of days for both eyes usage per bottle ranged from 52 days (bimatoprost 0.03%) to 11 days (pilocarpine nitrate 0.5%-Zhenrui). (4) The daily cost for both eyes usage from expensive to cheap were latanoprost 0.005%-$0.91, travoprost 0.004%-$0.77, brimonidine 0.2%-$0.61, bimatoprost 0.03%-$0.46, D-timolol 1%-$0.36, brinzolamide 1%-$0.34, pilocarpine 2%-Zhenrui-$0.28, levobunolol 0.5%-$0.25, betaxolol 0.25%-$0.24, pilocarpine 0.5%-Zhenrui-$0.18, pilocarpine 2%-Huming-$0.16, carteolol 1%-Mikelan-$0.15, carteolol 2%-Mikelan-$0.15, pilocarpine 1%-Huming-$0.10, timolol 0.5%-Chengrui-$0.08, timolol 0.5%-Malaisuan Saimaluo'er-$0.03.


CONCLUSIONS
The daily cost of glaucoma medications in China ranged much more wildly than developed countries. These data may be useful in selecting medications for glaucoma therapy. The ophthalmic solution of prostaglandins is powerful in reducing intraocular pressure. However, its high price should be considered when selecting glaucoma medications in China.
Gao
Ying
Y
Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Eye Center, Beijing, China.
Wu
Lingling
L
Li
Aijun
A
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000191:economics; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000191:economics; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics*; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000191:economics; D002681:China; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000191:economics; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000191:economics; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000191:economics*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000191:economics
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011453:Prostaglandins