Open AccessStudy on drug costs associated with COPD prescription medicine in D enmark
Author(s) -
Jakobsen Marie,
Anker Niels,
Dollerup Jens,
Poulsen Peter Bo,
Lange Peter
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the clinical respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.789
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1752-699X
pISSN - 1752-6981
DOI - 10.1111/crj.12010
Subject(s) - medicine , medical prescription , copd , prescription costs , prescription drug , population , drug , pulmonary disease , emergency medicine , environmental health , pharmacology
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.