Willingness to pay for antiglaucoma drugs in two tertiary instituions in Nigeria

Abstract

Antiglaucoma medications availability and affordability enhance patient’s compliance and prevents blindness. In Nigeria, health care cost burden is mostly out of pocket of patients. The aim of the present study is to determine patient’s willingness to pay (WTP) and preference in three antiglaucoma medications with different attributes and side effects in comparison with a hypothetical antiglaucoma medication with ideal characteristics. WTP instrument was administered to 350 consenting patients. The characteristics ranging from frequency of administration, onset of action and side effects of the drugs were provided. A contingent valuation method was used where a virtual market scenario of 14 payment options was presented to patients with prices ranging from ₦100 ($ 0.50) to ₦8000 ($40.00). At the time of this study, $1 (USD) was equivalent to ₦200.00 (NGN). Sex, preference for drugs and higher income had significant effect on patients WTP while there was no significant difference in having access to health insurance and WTP. The mean WTP for drug B was the lowest at ₦921.64 ± 1140.82($4.61 ± 5.70) and highest was for drug D at ₦2853.67 ± 2026.96 ($14.27 ± 10.14) (P <0.0001). The characteristics of the drug relatively had effect on their cumulative demand. In conclusion, majority of the patients preferred and are willing to pay more for the hypothetical drug D with the highest efficacy and reduced side effect at a lower price than prevailing price of drug C (Xalatan) in the various pharmacies. This indicates that government and agencies should subsidize these products in order to reduce global blindness.

Keywords: Glaucoma, Antiglaucoma, willingness to pay, contingent valuation method