Cimetidine utilization in Denmark 1977-1981

A description of development in the utilization pattern of cimetidine (Tagamet) in Denmark is given on the basis of 19 154 granted applications for individual drug reimbursement submitted to the National Board of Health from the initial registration of cimetidine in September 1977 until general reimbursement was introduced in July 1981. The application rate per 100 000 inhabitants increased steeply from 49 in 1978 to 148 in 1980 and decreased to 127 in 1981. Despite this rapid introduction, however, hospital utilization for ulcer disease was constant during this period. Half of the applications treated diagnosed duodenal ulcers and a third gastric ulcers. Only 50% of those gastric ulcers were diagnosed by endoscopy. The age-specific application rate reached a peak in the age group of 50-69 years. There was a considerable geographical variation in the rate of application. The reason for this is unknown, since the variations in the ages of patients and years of application were different in different counties, and no correlation between application rate and proxy variables for standard of health and special interest in ulcer disease between the different counties could be shown.