Monoclonal antibodies for cancerous conditions in essential medicine list: An experience from a tertiary hospital in Bengaluru, India

Abstract

Globally, cancer is emerging as a major public health problem. Monoclonal antibodies are extensively used for cancerous conditions at tertiary hospitals. Many of these are not easily available for patients seeking treatment from public sector. It is difficult for poor patients to afford these drugs on individual basis.The aim of our study is to calculate the prescribed daily dose of monoclonal antibody in cancerous conditions, to know the number of monoclonal antibody present in the essential drug list and to know the average total number of drugs prescribed in generic names. The average dose of the monoclonal antibody used is calculated and the common conditions for which it is used is tabulated and the drug usage is noted for both genders. The number monoclonal antibody present in the list of essential medicine of India and WHO is compared. The average total number of drugs prescribed in generic names is calculated.Average prescribed dose calculated was 382 mg for Trastuzumab, 455mg for rituximab. Only a few monoclonal antibodies were found in who essential drug. Only Trastuzumab and rituximab monoclonal antibody were found in the essential drug list of India. While, Trastuzumab is the most commonly (61%) prescribed drug in the generic form. The study concludes that Trastuzumab is the commonly used monoclonal antibody followed by Rituximab and Bevacizumab. Only Trastuzumab and rituximab were found in Indian essential drug list. Measures for Inclusion of other monoclonal anti bodies can be made by the policy decisions.