OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the cost of the use of lubricant eye drops, which are more used in the national market and contain in its formulation the same active ingredient - carboximeticelulose -, by considering their total number of drops in each flask. METHODS: An experimental study was accomplished by using three flasks of each one of the following eye drops: Lacrifilm®(eye drop 1) and Fresh Tears®(eye drop 2). To the analysis of their cost, the number of drops of each flask was counted, correlating them with their price. The price considered for each medication was the minimum to consumer with an aliquot of 17% published for the month of January 2012. The statistical analysis was accomplished in SPSS®18. The comparison of the quantitative variables evaluated was followed through the non-parametric test Mann-Whitney and Spearman linear correlation, in which a significant statistical difference was considered, a value of probability inferior to 0,05. RESULTS: It was verified statistically significant difference between brands of eye drops evaluated in relation to their total number of drops per flask as well as to their prices. Eye drop 1 presented greater number of drops. CONCLUSION: Eye drop 1, which has the greater number of drops per flask, also has the lowest price. Therefore, it is verified that the product is the most economical, what means that the patient will pay less for each drop.
Ophthalmic solutions; Drug price; Health expenditures; Comparative study; Brazil
