Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare drug consumption rates in public and private healthcare sectors between 2018 and 2022 in the Tikamgarh, Datia, and Niwari districts of Madhya Pradesh. DESIGN: A community-based survey methodology was employed, alongside an analysis of program data and evaluation of anti-TB drug sales and utilization from both healthcare sectors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from district hospitals in both the public and private sectors. Hospital records and pharmacy logs were reviewed to assess anti-TB medication consumption rates from 2018 to 2022. Sputum samples from patients with chest symptoms or a history of anti-TB treatment were tested using Xpert/Rif/TrueNat. The analysis compared drug consumption rates based on hospital records and calculated according to pharmacy sales data. RESULTS: The mean patient months in the public sector (10,354 months, SD = 8,780) significantly exceeded those in the private sector (4,820 months, SD = 9,519). Public sector drug sales varied, with Tikamgarh declining sharply from 38,304 patient months in 2018 to 8,810 in 2019, while Datia remained more stable. The private sector, particularly in Datia, peaked at 30,238 patient months in 2020. One-way ANOVA showed no significant differences between sectors for patient months (F = 2.74, P = .109). Linear regression identified patient months as a significant predictor of calculated patients (estimate = 0.16529, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Aligning drug consumption patterns across healthcare sectors is vital for effective tuberculosis management. Addressing disparities in drug consumption rates is crucial for accurate TB incidence estimates.