Price Development of Oral Contraceptives

Overview

This paper aims to compare the price development of oral contraceptives registered in the territory of the Czech Republic from l January 2001 to 1 January 2005. By means of prospective analysis of minimal costs, elaborated from the viewpoint of the economist, in all oral contraceptives which were in the portfolio of Czech preparations in the period under study the average price of one tablet was calculated from the data in the lists of VZP (General Health Insurance Company). The obtained results were processed and statistically evaluated, and the price development was compared. In the period from 1 January 2001 to 1 January 2005 in the territory of the Czech Republic altogether 84 oral contraceptives were registered. Their average price was increased by 23 % in the period. Out of the total number of 84 preparations, 46 preparations were registered for the whole period under study. A detailed analysis of the development of their prices reveals that from 1 January 2001 to 1 October 2002 their price was decreased by 3.6 %. On 1 February 2004, 91 % of these preparations did not change or increased their prices in comparison with the preceding period. On 1 January 2005 these 91 % of preparations increased their prices. A similar price development is evident also in the individual pharmacological groups of these preparations. Price increase is a trend which began on 1 February 2004 and continued on 1 January 2005. It was just between these dates that, on 1 May 2004, the Czech Republic entered the European Union and changed its VAT rates. Though it is the field of the health service, it is evident that the price-fixing process in oral contraceptives mimics the economic laws as well as the economic and political situation of the state.

Key words:
oral contraceptives – price development – price