Trends in the supply and use of lipid-lowering drugs in Spain, 1983 through 1991.
Trends in the supply and use of lipid-lowering drugs in Spain were studied throughout the period of 1983-1991. Although the supply of such drugs remains excessive, a trend towards more rational standards has been apparent: 20 specialties out of 53 existing in 1983 have been withdrawn (10 fixed-dose combinations and 10 obsolete drugs). The overall use of lipid-lowering drugs rose from 2.51 DDD/1000 inhab/day in 1983 to 8.47 DDD/1000 inhab/day in 1991. The increase was mostly attributable to the subgroup of fibric acid derivatives (1.23 DDD/1000 inhab/day in 1983 and 6.14 in 1991). The bile acid sequestrants accounted for a small fraction of the overall use (0.23 DDD/inhab/day in 1991), in spite of its increasing consumption. The use of the two subgroups, nicotinic acid derivatives and fixed-dose combinations, has declined. The introduction into the market of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in 1991 contributed to the increase of the overall use in 1.28 DDD/1000 inhab/day but it seems not to have any negative influence on the use of other subgroups. Although the prevalence rates of hypercholesterolemia are similar, the use of lipid-lowering drugs in 1991 in Spain was 3 to 8 times higher than that of the Nordic countries. In conclusion, our data suggest that lipid-lowering drugs are highly used in Spain, at least in comparison with other western countries, and that the pattern of drug use is not in accordance with international recommendations.
De Abajo
F J
FJ
Servicio de Farmacología Clínica y Farmacovigilancia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Madurga
M
M
Montero
D
D
Adin
J
J
Palop
R
R
D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents