title: Trends in the use of antiasthmatic medications in Morocco (1999-2010).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is a big public health problem in Morocco. The drug therapy existing in Morocco is currently insufficient because of the low purchasing power and the low health insurance coverage available to the average citizen in Morocco. In this study we evaluated the consumption of antiasthmatics in Morocco during the period 1999-2010, the classes of used drugs and the generics' market share.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used sales data from the Moroccan subsidiaries of the IMS Health "Intercontinental Marketing Service". The consumption volume was converted to Defined Daily Doses (DDDs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 1999-2010, antiasthmatics's consumption increased from 3.91 to 14.47 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day. In 2010, the association Beta-2-mimetic-Glucocorticosteroids were the most consumed (8.53 DDD/1000 Inhabitants/day) followed by the short-acting inhaled Beta-2-mimetic (4 DDD/1000 Inhabitants/day) and inhaled Glucocorticosteroids alone accounted for 1.13 DDD/1000 Inhabitants/day. The largest consumption share in volume was held by the short-acting inhaled Beta-2-mimetic (42%) followed by the combination Beta-2-mimetic-Glucocorticosteroids (38%). Between 1999 and 2010, the market for generic antiasthmatics increased from 1.84 to 2.18 DDD/1000 Inhabitants/day. The ratio of the monthly average cost of treatment to the minimum wage in Morocco decreased from 10.8% in 1999 to 7.11% in 2010.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antiasthmatics' consumption in Morocco has undergone significant changes between 1999 and 2010. However, the availability of these drugs expressed as the Average Monthly Expenditure/Guaranteed Minimum Wage ratio improved. Despite this, the use of antiasmathics in Morocco remains low.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Research team of Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacoeconomics, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Imane
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ghanname
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahid
authors.forename: Ghizlane
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berrada
authors.forename: Abdelmjid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belaiche
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassar
authors.forename: Yahya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cherrah
keywords: Antiasthmatic; Average monthly expenditure; Consumption; Defined Daily Dose (DDD); Morocco