Compare healthcare prices across 6 countries
The same medicines and diseases, priced side by side in India, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and the UAE, from each government's official price list. Green is the cheapest country; red is the most expensive.
Which country has the cheapest medicines?
For every medicine sold in at least four of these countries, we compared each country with the cheapest one for that medicine. A score of 1.0× means it is usually the cheapest. Countries with fewer than 50 comparable medicines (the United States, where we have only 13) are left out.
Read this before you compare: India's prices are from government Jan Aushadhi stores, which sell low-cost generics (the government says they are 50–90% cheaper than branded medicines); an ordinary Indian pharmacy selling brands will usually charge more. The UK and Australia show what the health service pays (patients pay a fixed prescription charge or co-payment instead), South Africa shows the manufacturer price before the pharmacy fee, and the UAE shows the maximum shop price. So this ranking compares official price lists, not exactly what a patient pays.
is the cheapest country for 184 of the 194 medicines it shares with at least three other countries.
the cheapest price is what a medicine typically costs in the UAE, the most expensive country in this comparison.
One year of medicine for common diseases, in every country
| Disease and medicine (1 year) | India | USA | UK | S. Africa | Australia | UAE | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes metformin 500 mg, twice a day | $5.24 | $10.83 | $23.35 | $14.25 | $15.38 | $18.09 | 4.5× |
| Type 2 Diabetes sitagliptin 100 mg, once a day | $31.72 | $1,405 | $35.72 | $91.99 | $151 | $264 | 44.3× |
| Type 2 Diabetes empagliflozin 10 mg, once a day | $14.42 | – | $638 | $124 | $333 | $860 | 59.6× |
| High Blood Pressure amlodipine 5 mg, once a day | $2.18 | $3.70 | $11.68 | $38.46 | $21.35 | $91.11 | 41.8× |
| High Blood Pressure losartan 50 mg, once a day | $4.79 | $12.10 | $14.12 | $50.23 | – | $116 | 24.2× |
| High Cholesterol atorvastatin 20 mg, once a day | $4.79 | $10.43 | $14.46 | $22.81 | $22.22 | $114 | 23.9× |
| High Cholesterol rosuvastatin 10 mg, once a day | $4.94 | $12.97 | $29.28 | $65.05 | $29.91 | $87.79 | 17.8× |
| Coronary Artery Disease clopidogrel 75 mg, once a day | $7.41 | $17.12 | $16.21 | $73.21 | $34.78 | $49.69 | 9.9× |
| Hypothyroidism levothyroxine 100 micrograms, once a day | $2.70 | $18.08 | $14.99 | $18.85 | $9.46 | $11.43 | 7.0× |
| Acid Reflux omeprazole 20 mg, once a day | $3.93 | $11.11 | $14.46 | $51.20 | $34.17 | $163 | 41.5× |
| Acid Reflux pantoprazole 40 mg, once a day | $4.79 | $13.41 | $15.86 | $95.34 | $24.53 | $122 | 25.6× |
| Heart Rhythm Disorders apixaban 5 mg, twice a day | $25.23 | – | $36.21 | $270 | $323 | $1,723 | 68.3× |
Yearly cost of the medicine alone, at the dose shown, using the lowest official price per tablet in each country. Doctor visits, tests and other care are not included. Each country publishes a different kind of price (shown under each country). Your doctor decides the right medicine and dose.
What a patient actually pays in a year
The table above uses each country's official list price. This one applies each country's rules for what the patient pays at the pharmacy: England's £9.90 prescription charge (capped by the £114.50 yearly certificate), Australia's PBS co-payment of up to A$25 a script, South Africa's maximum dispensing fee plus VAT, and the full price in India and the UAE. "Up to" amounts are the legal maximum.
| Disease and medicine (patient pays, 1 year) | India | UK | S. Africa | Australia | UAE | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes metformin 500 mg, twice a day | $5.24 | $153 | $34.80 | $211 | $18.09 | 40.2× |
| Type 2 Diabetes sitagliptin 100 mg, once a day | $31.72 | $153 | $139 | $211 | $264 | 8.3× |
| Type 2 Diabetes empagliflozin 10 mg, once a day | $14.42 | $153 | $208 | $211 | $860 | 59.6× |
| High Blood Pressure amlodipine 5 mg, once a day | $2.18 | $153 | $78.31 | $211 | $91.11 | 96.6× |
| High Blood Pressure losartan 50 mg, once a day | $4.79 | $153 | $96.30 | – | $116 | 32.0× |
| High Cholesterol atorvastatin 20 mg, once a day | $4.79 | $153 | $54.38 | $211 | $114 | 44.0× |
| High Cholesterol rosuvastatin 10 mg, once a day | $4.94 | $153 | $119 | $211 | $87.79 | 42.6× |
| Coronary Artery Disease clopidogrel 75 mg, once a day | $7.41 | $153 | $131 | $211 | $49.69 | 28.4× |
| Hypothyroidism levothyroxine 100 micrograms, once a day | $2.70 | $153 | $48.33 | $211 | $11.43 | 78.0× |
| Acid Reflux omeprazole 20 mg, once a day | $3.93 | $153 | $97.79 | $211 | $163 | 53.6× |
| Acid Reflux pantoprazole 40 mg, once a day | $4.79 | $153 | $165 | $211 | $122 | 44.0× |
| Heart Rhythm Disorders apixaban 5 mg, twice a day | $25.23 | $153 | $409 | $211 | $1,723 | 68.3× |
Not shown for the United States, where what a patient pays depends on their insurance plan. In the UK and Australia, many people pay less or nothing (exemptions, concession cards, Safety Net); in South Africa and the UAE, insurance may cover part.
Pick anything and see every country
Country vs country
How often the country in the row is cheaper than the country in the column, across every medicine both countries list.
| Cheaper than → | India | USA | UK | S. Africa | Australia | UAE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | – | 99% of 152 | 96% of 170 | 99% of 188 | 99% of 156 | 100% of 212 |
| United States | 1% of 152 | – | 56% of 290 | 70% of 297 | 56% of 248 | 69% of 361 |
| United Kingdom | 4% of 170 | 44% of 290 | – | 64% of 329 | 51% of 288 | 61% of 413 |
| South Africa | 1% of 188 | 30% of 297 | 36% of 329 | – | 37% of 332 | 61% of 459 |
| Australia | 1% of 156 | 44% of 248 | 49% of 288 | 63% of 332 | – | 80% of 400 |
| United Arab Emirates | 0% of 212 | 31% of 361 | 38% of 413 | 39% of 459 | 20% of 400 | – |
Price per tablet of 40 common medicines, in every country
| Medicine (per tablet) | India | USA | UK | S. Africa | Australia | UAE | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetazolamide 250 mg tablet | $0.019 | $0.13 | $0.12 | $0.13 | $0.095 | $0.15 | 8.0× |
| Allopurinol 100 mg tablet | $0.011 | $0.031 | $0.032 | $0.055 | $0.016 | $0.056 | 5.1× |
| Amiodarone 200 mg tablet | $0.064 | $0.12 | $0.24 | $0.61 | $0.094 | $0.13 | 9.5× |
| Amlodipine 5 mg tablet | $0.006 | $0.010 | $0.032 | $0.11 | $0.059 | $0.25 | 41.6× |
| Anastrozole 1 mg tablet | $0.046 | $0.15 | $0.051 | $0.35 | $0.14 | $1.18 | 25.5× |
| Aripiprazole 10 mg tablet | $0.025 | $0.12 | $0.083 | $0.65 | $0.55 | $1.27 | 51.6× |
| Atenolol 50 mg tablet | $0.005 | $0.023 | $0.033 | $0.037 | $0.059 | $0.087 | 17.1× |
| Atomoxetine 10 mg capsule | $0.047 | $0.34 | $0.56 | $0.65 | $0.72 | $0.47 | 15.2× |
| Atorvastatin 10 mg tablet | $0.010 | $0.023 | $0.032 | $0.059 | $0.059 | $0.24 | 24.6× |
| Azathioprine 50 mg tablet | $0.047 | $0.13 | $0.042 | $0.44 | $0.093 | $0.12 | 10.6× |
| Azithromycin 500 mg tablet | $0.14 | $0.55 | $0.41 | $2.79 | $1.40 | $0.82 | 20.2× |
| Baclofen 10 mg tablet | $0.013 | $0.033 | $0.023 | $0.31 | $0.058 | $0.040 | 24.2× |
| Bicalutamide 50 mg tablet | $0.063 | $0.39 | $0.11 | $0.98 | $0.91 | $6.09 | 96.4× |
| Capecitabine 500 mg tablet | $0.27 | $0.45 | $2.51 | $1.10 | $0.27 | $1.85 | 9.5× |
| Carvedilol 12.5 mg tablet | $0.015 | $0.021 | $0.18 | $0.14 | $0.047 | $0.10 | 12.1× |
| Chlorpromazine 100 mg tablet | $0.007 | $0.47 | $2.10 | $0.55 | $0.099 | $0.16 | 323.0× |
| Clarithromycin 250 mg tablet | $0.081 | $0.39 | $0.098 | $0.68 | $0.16 | $0.58 | 8.4× |
| Clopidogrel 75 mg tablet | $0.020 | $0.047 | $0.044 | $0.20 | $0.095 | $0.14 | 9.9× |
| Clozapine 100 mg tablet | $0.040 | $0.57 | $1.06 | $0.68 | $0.73 | $0.76 | 26.8× |
| Deferasirox 360 mg tablet | $0.084 | $1.12 | $22.46 | $39.67 | $1.36 | $13.23 | 472.9× |
| Diazepam 2 mg tablet | $0.007 | $0.021 | $0.035 | $0.012 | $0.035 | $0.31 | 45.4× |
| Doxycycline 100 mg capsule | $0.017 | $0.11 | $0.12 | $0.043 | $0.39 | $0.16 | 23.6× |
| Duloxetine 30 mg capsule | $0.030 | $0.099 | $0.081 | $0.26 | $0.097 | $0.47 | 15.8× |
| Eltrombopag 50 mg tablet | $0.70 | $25.85 | $73.53 | $87.64 | $61.60 | $114 | 163.2× |
| Eplerenone 25 mg tablet | $0.13 | $0.33 | $0.11 | $1.76 | $0.88 | $0.97 | 16.6× |
| Ezetimibe 10 mg tablet | $0.020 | $0.071 | $0.056 | $0.40 | $0.10 | $0.54 | 27.4× |
| Finasteride 5 mg tablet | $0.043 | $0.069 | $0.048 | $0.49 | $1.51 | $0.47 | 34.8× |
| Gabapentin 100 mg capsule | $0.017 | $0.022 | $0.017 | $0.12 | $0.026 | $0.040 | 7.1× |
| Glimepiride 2 mg tablet | $0.006 | $0.038 | $0.049 | $0.29 | $0.059 | $0.11 | 48.2× |
| Ibuprofen 400 mg tablet | $0.006 | $0.038 | $0.044 | $0.022 | $0.059 | $0.082 | 12.9× |
| Isotretinoin 10 mg capsule | $0.030 | $4.21 | $1.65 | $0.32 | $0.19 | $0.36 | 142.2× |
| Itraconazole 100 mg capsule | $0.066 | $0.85 | $0.60 | $2.77 | $1.14 | $0.37 | 42.1× |
| Ivabradine 5 mg tablet | $0.065 | $0.71 | $0.077 | $0.33 | $0.39 | $0.81 | 12.5× |
| Lacosamide 100 mg tablet | $0.061 | $0.19 | $0.057 | $0.34 | $0.57 | $0.97 | 16.9× |
| Lamotrigine 100 mg tablet | $0.040 | $0.048 | $0.061 | $0.19 | $0.098 | $0.33 | 8.3× |
| Lansoprazole 15 mg capsule | $0.022 | $0.14 | $0.041 | $0.25 | $0.082 | $0.31 | 14.3× |
| Leflunomide 10 mg tablet | $0.035 | $0.33 | $0.33 | $1.48 | $0.24 | $1.55 | 44.8× |
| Letrozole 2.5 mg tablet | $0.034 | $0.15 | $0.10 | $0.82 | $0.18 | $0.25 | 24.5× |
| Levetiracetam 250 mg tablet | $0.030 | $0.057 | $0.031 | $0.12 | $0.084 | $0.19 | 6.4× |
| Levothyroxine 50 mcg tablet | $0.006 | $0.040 | $0.041 | $0.041 | $0.025 | $0.022 | 7.0× |
Lowest official price per tablet or capsule of the same strength in each country. Each country publishes a different kind of price (see the table at the bottom). Converted to US dollars at ECB reference rates and the official AED dollar peg.
Surgery and treatment prices in 5 countries
Official reference prices for the same operation in India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore. South Africa, the UAE and Saudi Arabia do not publish national hospital prices, so they are not included here.
| Treatment | India | USA | UK | Australia | Singapore | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement | $2,311 | $14,275 | $9,887 | $16,586 | $20,333 | 8.8× |
| Hip Replacement | $1,780 | $14,278 | $9,927 | $16,876 | $22,931 | 12.9× |
| Cataract Surgery | $240 | $2,819 | $1,009 | $2,867 | $4,314 | 18.0× |
| Coronary Angioplasty | $1,270 | $12,257 | $2,936 | $10,088 | $14,286 | 11.2× |
| Heart Bypass Surgery (CABG) | $1,896 | – | $15,210 | $30,135 | $34,093 | 18.0× |
| Heart Valve Replacement India excludes implant | $1,896 | – | $13,823 | $35,147 | $39,204 | 20.7× |
| Pacemaker Implantation | $738 | – | $3,120 | $12,237 | – | 16.6× |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) | $382 | $6,807 | $3,723 | $8,890 | $6,764 | 23.3× |
| Haemodialysis per session | $26.33 | – | $270 | $545 | – | 20.7× |
| Kidney Transplant | $3,939 | – | – | $41,769 | – | 10.6× |
Reference prices: India = CGHS government package rate (Tier I city, NABH hospital; some exclude the implant); USA = Medicare outpatient average; UK = NHS national price paid to hospitals (patients pay nothing); Australia = national efficient price for a public hospital (public patients pay nothing); Singapore = typical total bill at a public hospital, unsubsidised ward. Each is a different kind of price, so treat the gaps as a guide.
Open a treatment to compare every country
- Knee Replacement: price in 5 countries
- Hip Replacement: price in 5 countries
- Cataract Surgery: price in 5 countries
- Coronary Angioplasty: price in 5 countries
- Heart Bypass Surgery (CABG): price in 4 countries
- Heart Valve Replacement: price in 4 countries
- Pacemaker Implantation: price in 3 countries
- Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic): price in 5 countries
- Haemodialysis: price in 3 countries
- Kidney Transplant: price in 2 countries
What each country's price means
| Country | Official price used | Source |
|---|---|---|
| India | Jan Aushadhi MRP (retail) | Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India |
| United States | NADAC (what pharmacies pay) | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) |
| United Kingdom | NHS Drug Tariff (what the NHS pays) | NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) |
| South Africa | Single Exit Price (manufacturer) | National Department of Health, South Africa |
| Australia | PBS ex-manufacturer price | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing |
| United Arab Emirates | Abu Dhabi public price (retail max) | Department of Health – Abu Dhabi |
Saudi Arabia is not in these tables because its official list gives prices per pack without the number of tablets. See medicine prices in Saudi Arabia. Differences between countries are partly due to what each price measures, so treat them as a guide.