Use of fertility drugs in Denmark 1973-1993. An analysis based on sale statistics.
OBJECTIVE
The increasing use of drugs for ovarian stimulation and the possibility of long-term risks has actualized a quantitative assessment of the use of such therapy. The aim of the study was to analyze the development in the sale of different types of drugs used for ovarian stimulation in Denmark during the last two decades.


METHODS
Sale statistics of clomiphene citrate, cyclophenile, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), mare menopausal gonadotropin (mMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in Denmark 1973-1993.


METHODS
The number of defined daily doses (DDD) was calculated for each product group. On given assumptions the number of cycles of different treatment regimens and the number of treated women was calculated.


RESULTS
The sale has increased almost exponentially throughout the last two decades: Clomiphene citrate 11 fold, hMG 30 fold, and hCG 5 fold. Today, among women 15-44 years old, the estimated incidence rate of women treated with clomiphene alone is about 2.7/1,000/year, and the incidence rate of women treated with clomiphene/hCG and hMG/hCG account for about 3.1/1,000/year and 1.9/1,000/year, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Any study concerning short- and long-term effects of ovarian stimulation have to consider this secular trend.
Mosgaard
B
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lidegaard
O
O
Andersen
A N
AN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003718:Denmark; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D002996:Clomiphene; D008596:Menotropins