[The licit opioid consumption in Denmark]

To identify users and use of opioids in Denmark three databases were combined. The latest fifteen years an increase in users has been noted, and the costs of opioids have increased from 175 million DKK (1994) to 540 million DKK (2008). Oxycodone and transdermal fentanyl constitute 60% of the total annual costs, and together with the increasing costs of buprenorphine, the three opioids constitute 70% of the total costs in the primary health care sector. The largest group of users is individuals with acute pain, however, the highest consumption is generated by individuals with chronic non-malignant pain.