RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Long-term trends in use of and expenditures for cardiovascular medications in Canada
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E19
OP E28
DO 10.1503/cmaj.081913
VO 181
IS 1-2
A1 Cynthia A. Jackevicius
A1 Jafna L. Cox
A1 Daniel Carreon
A1 Jack V. Tu
A1 Stéphane Rinfret
A1 Derek So
A1 Helen Johansen
A1 Dimitri Kalavrouziotis
A1 Virginie Demers
A1 Karin Humphries
A1 Louise Pilote
A1 for the Canadian Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Team
YR 2009
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/181/1-2/E19.abstract
AB Background: Medication expenditures have become the fastest growing sector of costs within the Canadian health care system. Evaluation of the use of cardiovascular medications is important to determine the magnitude of the growth, to identify which medications dominate the landscape and to detect interprovincial differences in utilization. We describe long-term trends in the use of and expenditures for cardiovascular medications in Canada, by drug class and by province. Methods: For these analyses, we used volume and expenditure data related to prescriptions for cardiovascular medications obtained from IMS Health Canada’s CompuScript Audit® database for the period 1996–2006. Here, we describe national and provincial patterns of utilization and expenditures for specified classes of cardiovascular medications. Results: The use of cardiovascular medications increased sharply in Canada during the study period, with related costs rising by over 200% during this period to surpass $5 billion in 2006. Changes in population demographics, risk factors and inflation appeared to account for about two-thirds of the observed growth in expenditures. Use of newer medication classes (statins, angiotensin-receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors), for which patented brand name medications predominate, accounted for almost one-third of the cost increases. Interprovincial differences in total expenditures for cardiovascular drugs portrayed a descending gradient from east to west, with greatest variability for the newer drug classes. Interpretation: Prescriptions and expenditures for cardiovascular medications in Canada escalated over the study period. Projected increases may reach potentially unsustainable levels. Greater emphasis on the use of cost-effective medications is required to limit further increases. Factors influencing interprovincial differences warrant further study.