Study on drug costs associated with COPD prescription medicine in D enmark

Spirometric studies of the general population estimate that 430 000 D anes have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ). COPD is mainly caused by smoking, and smoking cessation is the most important intervention to prevent disease progression. Cost‐of‐illness studies conclude that the costs associated with COPD in D enmark are significant, but costs of prescription medicine for COPD were not analysed. Objectives To analyse the societal costs associated with prescription medicine for COPD in D enmark. Methods The study was designed as a nationwide retrospective register study of the drug costs ( ATC group R03 ) associated with COPD in the period 2001–2010. Data were retrieved from the P rescription D atabase, the N ational P atient R egister and the C entralised C ivil R egister. The population comprised individuals (40+ years) who had at least one prescription of selected R03 drugs and who had been either hospitalised with a COPD diagnosis or had at least one prescription for drugs primarily used for COPD . Results The study population comprised 166 462 individuals of which 97 916 were alive on 31 D ecember 2010. The average annual drug costs ( R03 ) were DKK 7842 ( EUR 1055) per patient in 2010 with total costs of DKK 685 million ( EUR 92 million). The average lifetime costs associated with COPD prescription medicine were estimated to be DKK 70 000–75 000 ( EUR 9416–10 089) per patient (2010 prices). Conclusion The costs associated with prescription medicine for COPD in D enmark are significant.