Pharmacoeconomic evaluations and comparison of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) with triaminic DM based therapies for common cold in the city of Karachi: Retrospective burden of Illness, Cost and budget impact analysis

Abstract

Objective: To compare two therapeutic entity from societal perspective, i.e. ‘Licorice’ with ‘Triaminic DM’ in monetary savings and reduction of burden of cold with minimum impact on household budget of patient in population of all 178 union councils of City of Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: Stratified random sampling was used, selecting total of 356 patients. Taking frequency of common cold at 3 colds annually with discount rate at 3% for calculating burden of illness in terms of disability adjusted life years. The budget impact analysis was carried out calculating budget impact per onset and budget impact per year values. Results: Annually, the Licorice was found responsible for 57.07 less DALY per 1000 population with a saving of Rs.1.51/- billion (US$ 14.52/- million) than with Triaminic DM.Conclusions: Licorice provide more utility with less impact on budget of a patient in comparison with treatment of symptoms of common cold with Triaminic DM.