Medicine Price Index 2019

Disclaimer

This study was conducted in 2019 and may not reflect current medicine prices or market conditions. Data should be used for historical reference only.

Global comparison reveals dramatic differences in the cost of essential medicines

This study reveals how the cost of common medications varies drastically around the world, with some countries paying many times more than the global median price.

Overall, the United States ranks as the most expensive country for medication, paying +306.82% above the global median. This is followed by Germany (+125.64%) and the UAE (+122.03%).
At the other end of the scale, Thailand has the lowest medicine costs at –93.93%, closely followed by Kenya (–93.76%) and Malaysia (–90.80%).

The medication with the single highest deviation from the median is the blood pressure drug Lisinopril (Zestril), which costs an astonishing +2682.56% more in the US than the global median.

About the Study

Following earlier research into the world’s best hospital systems, Medbelle set out to analyse one of the most common barriers to accessing healthcare: the price of essential medicine.

To build the index:

• Thirteen widely used pharmaceutical compounds were selected, covering conditions such as heart disease, asthma, anxiety, epilepsy, diabetes, and more.
• Prices for each medication included both brand-name and generic versions.
• Dosage sizes were standardised to ensure a like-for-like comparison across all countries.
• A global median price was calculated for each medication.
• Each country’s price was measured by how far it deviated from this median.

This process revealed extreme disparities. In some cases, patients in one country pay over 25 times more for the exact same medication than those elsewhere.

Medication-Specific Findings

Below are sample results for key medications showing the most and least expensive countries based on deviation from the global median price.

Insulin Glargine (Lantus) – Diabetes

Most Expensive Countries

USA (+557.86%), Argentina (+169.96%), Chile (+168.17%)

Least Expensive Countries

Egypt (–43.51%), Turkey (–33.93%), Poland (–30.29%)

*|Country|* ranks #*|Insulin Rank* out of 50.

Viagra (Sildenafil) – Erectile Dysfunction

Most Expensive Countries

USA (+660.24%), Taiwan (+152.18%), Switzerland (+132.69%)

Least Expensive Countries

Ireland (–90.57%), Egypt (–89.24%), Argentina (–81.42%)

*|Country|* ranks #*|Viagra Rank* out of 50.

Highest & Lowest Deviations by Medication

Each figure represents the percentage deviation from the global median price (0%). Higher percentages indicate higher costs.

Viagra (Sildenafil) - Erectile Dysfunction

• Most expensive: USA (+660.24%), followed by Taiwan (+152.18%) and Switzerland (+132.69%).
• Least expensive: Ireland (-90.57%), followed by Egypt (-89.24%) and Argentina (-89.24%).

Lyrica (Pregabalin) - Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, among others

• Most expensive: USA (+1071.17%), followed by Germany (+199.89%) and China (+184.46%).
• Least expensive: New Zealand (-93.63%), followed by India (-91.13%) and Bulgaria (-68.20%).

Lipitor (Atorvastatin) - Cardiovascular Disease, High Cholesterol

• Most expensive: USA (+2175.83%), followed by Qatar (+389.34%) and Colombia (+321.91%).
• Least expensive: New Zealand (-96.47%), followed by Indonesia (-86.44%) and India (-84.82%).

Ventolin (Salbutamol) - Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Most expensive: USA (+1191.01%), followed by Chile (+354.85%) and Iceland (+274.75%).
• Least expensive: Egypt (-68.32%), followed by Turkey (-66.37%) and India (-64.76%).

Zithromax (Azithromycin) - Bacterial Infection

• Most expensive: USA (+1755.25%), followed by Iceland (+298.71%) and Switzerland (+266.04%).
• Least expensive: India (-88.46%), followed by New Zealand (-85.51%) and Egypt (-83.50%).

Lantus (Insulin Glargine) - Diabetes Type I and II

• Most expensive: USA (+557.86%), followed by Argentina (+169.96%) and Chile (+168.17%).
• Least expensive: Egypt (-43.51%), followed by Turkey (-33.93%) and Poland (-30.29%).

Prograf (Tacrolimus) - Immunosuppression, Transplant Rejection Prevention

• Most expensive: Saudi Arabia (+204.52%), followed by Israel (+192.54%) and Germany (+165.41%).
• Least expensive: India (-87.46%), followed by Kenya (-74.13%) and New Zealand (-72.00%).

Yasmin (Drospirenone/Ethinylestradiol) - Female Contraception

• Most expensive: USA (+785.99%), followed by Japan (+371.78%) and Chile (+182.65%).
• Least expensive: Egypt (-73.18%), followed by the Netherlands (-55.68%) and India (-54.94%).

Prozac (Fluoxetine) - Depression, Bulimia, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), among others

• Most expensive: USA (+2124.89%), followed by Columbia (+618.57%) and Mexico (+322.76%).
• Least expensive: Netherlands (-91.39%), followed by Egypt (-87.2%) and India (-84.43%).

Xanax (Alprazolam) - Anxiety and Panic Disorder

• Most expensive: USA (+2568.75%), followed by Russia (+1002.85%) and Mexico (+449.06%).
• Least expensive: China (-83.91%), followed by Bulgaria (-78.55%) and Thailand (-77.06%).

Zestril (Lisinopril) - High Blood Pressure

• Most expensive: USA (+2682.56%), followed by Columbia (+590.78%) and Chile (+434.16%).
• Least expensive: Indonesia (-90.36%), followed by New Zealand (-90.25%) and Taiwan (-66.24%).

Viread (Tenofovir) - Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS

• Most expensive: USA (+217.02%), followed by Israel (+200.32%) and India (+162.87%).
• Least expensive: South Korea (-97.99%), followed by South Africa (-91.62%) and New Zealand (-88.24%).

Humira (Adalimumab) - Arthritis, Bowel Disease, Skin Disorders, among others

• Most expensive: USA (+482.91%), followed by Brazil (+135.27%) and Qatar (+99.19%).
• Least expensive: India (-74.20%), followed by Russia (-65.81%) and Turkey (-51.99%).

Expert Commentary

“One of the most striking findings is just how much more Americans pay for medication compared to the rest of the world. For example, US patients pay around five and a half times the global median price for insulin,” says Daniel Kolb, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Medbelle.
“Our mission is to increase transparency in healthcare, and this study highlights the urgent need for clearer, fairer pricing worldwide.”

“Although some price variation is expected due to taxation, transport costs, purchasing power, and patents, the differences revealed here are extreme. For instance, there is a 2772.92% difference in the cost of blood pressure medication Zestril between Indonesia and the US,” Kolb adds.
“We hope this index encourages wider discussion on global healthcare inequality.”