Consumption trends for specific drugs used to treat dementia in the region of Madrid (Spain) from 2002 to 2012.
BACKGROUND
Analysing drug consumption in large population groups lets us observe consumption trends and compare them between different settings.


OBJECTIVE
to analyse the time trends for consumption and costs of specific drugs used to treat dementia in the region of Madrid (Spain) and compare trends by sex and age cohort.


METHODS
Descriptive study of cholinesterase inhibitors (N06DA) and memantine (N06DX01) dispensed in Madrid between 2002 and 2012 and covered by the Spain's national health system. Consumption was calculated by analysing changes in DDD (defined daily doses) to find total and yearly increases. The cost was estimated based on DDD price. To compare consumption rates by age and sex, we calculated DDD per 100 inhabitants/day.


RESULTS
Between 2002 and 2012, consumption of drugs used to treat dementia increased sixfold. During this period, cholinesterase inhibitors accounted for 76.70% of the drugs consumed and memantine, 23.30%. The estimated cost rose by a by a factor of 5.7 over 11 years (or by a factor of 4 taking into account the use of generic drugs). In 2012, 2.42% of the patients aged 65 or over consumed cholinesterase inhibitors (women 2.82%, men 1.83%) and 0.90% consumed memantine (women 1.10%, men 0.61%). Consumption increased in age cohorts up to 86 to 90 (5.84% for cholinesterase inhibitors and 2.33% for memantine) and declined thereafter.


CONCLUSIONS
Consumption of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine gradually increased, but consumption in 2012 did not reach levels equivalent to dementia prevalence figures. Pharmaceutical expenditure restraint measures may temporarily slow the cost increase temporarily but if the same trend of consumption persists, costs will rise.
Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Centro de Salud Pedro Laín Entralgo, Alcorcón, Madrid, España. Electronic address: mcanto.hoyos@salud.madrid.org.
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MC
de Hoyos-Alonso
Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Centro de Salud Comillas, Área Centro, Madrid, España.
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Tapias-Merino
Servicio Madrileño de Salud, Subdirección General de Compras de Farmacia y Productos Sanitarios, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, España.
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Meseguer Barros
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España.
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M
Sánchez-Martínez
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España.
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Otero
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008559:Memantine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D008559:Memantine
Anticolinesterásicos; Cholinesterase inhibitors; Cost; Coste; Demencia; Dementia; Drug utilization; Farmacoepidemiología; Memantina; Memantine; Pharmacoepidemiology; Uso de fármacos