A comparison of mycophenolate use in Australia and Northern Europe, and the impact on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to characterise utilisation of mycophenolate in Australian transplant recipients from 2001 to 2007; to identify specific patterns of mycophenolate mofetil and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium usage; to examine expenditure on mycophenolate prescription and to compare Australian usage with Danish, Finish and Netherlands populations.


METHODS
Data on mycophenolate usage were obtained from Medicare Australia, Finish and Danish Medicines Agency and Netherlands Healthcare Insurance Board databases. Utilisation of mycophenolate was described as daily defined dose (DDD/per 1000 population/day).


RESULTS
From 2001 to 2007, utilisation of mycophenolate in Australia increased approximately 30-fold. In 2007, mycophenolate sodium accounted for 8.3% of mycophenolate total DDDs. In 2007, AUD$4,890,000 was spent on mycophenolate prescription. In 2006, utilisation of mycophenolate was five- to eight-fold higher in Northern Europe compared to Australia. Renal transplant rates per 1000 population/year were similar across countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in the rate of mycophenolate utilisation between Northern Europe and Australia exist and may be due to differences in approved indications between countries, prescribing habits, or because of a more mature market in Europe. If the Australian market increases to that of North Europe the cost of prescribing mycophenolate will eventually be in the vicinity of AUD$20-80 million.
Staatz
Christine E
CE
School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. chris@pharmacy.uq.edu.au
Smith
Alesha J
AJ
Tett
Susan E
SE
D001315:Australia; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid