Cost Analysis of Postoperative Medications in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northeast India

BACKGROUND: Postoperative medications play a crucial role in managing physiological changes and preventing complications after surgery. However, the cost of these medications can be a significant burden for patients, particularly in low-income settings. This study aimed to estimate the cost of postoperative medications in a tertiary care hospital and simulate the financial burden on patients undergoing elective surgery. METHODS: A prospective, hospital-based observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in India. Data were collected from 109 patients undergoing elective surgery, and the cost of medications was calculated using real-world data. A gamma distribution was used to simulate 100000 data points, and the mean, median, and interquartile range of medication costs were estimated. RESULTS: The mean medication cost was ₹9332 (around $111 USD), with a median cost of ₹4989 (around $60 USD). The interquartile range was ₹11103, indicating substantial variability in patient costs. The simulation results showed that patients would need to work for an average of 51 days to cover the mean cost of medications, with up to 104 days required for 2.5% of patients. CONCLUSION: The financial burden of postoperative medications is significant. The findings highlight the need for flexibility in government schemes like Ayushman Bharat to accommodate the variability in costs. Policymakers should consider revising the sanctioned amounts per treatment module to keep pace with inflation and changes in medical practice.