Premium
Trends in celecoxib and etoricoxib prescribing following removal of prior authorization requirement in Spain
Author(s) -
CarracedoMartínez E.,
PiaMorandeira A.,
Figueiras A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/jcpt.12490
Subject(s) - etoricoxib , celecoxib , authorization , medicine , prior authorization , pharmacology , computer science , computer security
Summary What is known and objective Previous studies indicate that the implementation of a prior authorization requirement for coxibs was followed by a sharp decline in their use. There are no studies showing what happens if coxib prior authorization is removed. The objective of this study is to assess the trend in the use of coxibs marketed in Spain, following removal of their respective prior authorization requirements in November 2006 for celecoxib and February 2007 for etoricoxib. Methods We calculated the monthly number of defined daily doses per thousand inhabitants per day ( DDD / TID ) of coxibs dispensed in a health area of Spain from mid‐2005 to December 2007. Data were analysed both graphically and by means of a segmented regression model. Results and discussion At the start of the study period, use of coxibs showed no growth. At the date when prior authorization of celecoxib was removed (November 2006), however, DDD / TID of the coxib whose prior authorization had not been removed – namely etoricoxib – remained unchanged, whereas consumption of celecoxib increased significantly (by the end of the study period, celecoxib use displayed a relative increase of 615% in terms of the DDD / TID prescribed before the removal of its prior authorization requirement). Similarly, etoricoxib use remained unchanged until its prior authorization was removed (February 2007), from which time DDD / TID of etoricoxib also underwent a considerable increase (by the end of the study period, etoricoxib use displayed a relative increase of 793% in terms of the DDD / TID prescribed before the removal of its prior authorization). Segmented regression analysis showed a sharp, statistically significant rise and change in slope in both celecoxib and etoricoxib use immediately after removal of their respective prior authorizations. What is new and conclusion Use of celecoxib and etoricoxib rose sharply after removal of their respective prior authorizations.