Ten-year analgesic utilization patterns and economic implications in Portugal

Area of Science:

• Pharmacoeconomics
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Analyzing analgesic, adjuvant, and opioid consumption trends is crucial for understanding healthcare resource allocation.
• Portugal's 10-year data (2012-2022) provides a valuable case study for national drug utilization patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate 10-year consumption and economic patterns of analgesics, adjuvants, and opioids in Portugal.
• To compare Portugal's 2022 consumption patterns with those of Spain and Denmark.

Main Methods:

• Utilized sales and National Health Service (NHS) cost data from the Portuguese National Authority of Medicines and Health Products.
• Converted sales data to defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification.
• Employed chi-square tests for comparative analysis between Portugal, Spain, and Denmark.

Main Results:

• Classical analgesic use remained stable; ibuprofen was most consumed.
• Gabapentinoid (adjuvant) use rose by 84%, driven by pregabalin.
• Weak opioid (tramadol) use increased by 117%, and strong opioid use (tapentadol) surged by 618%.
• Portugal had the lowest overall opioid consumption in 2022 compared to Denmark and Spain.
• NHS expenditure on analgesics increased, mainly due to opioids, but relative expenditure remained stable.

Conclusions:

• Portugal experienced significant increases in both weak and strong opioid prescriptions, mirroring trends in Spain and Denmark.
• Generic medicine development and vigilant market monitoring are essential for managing costs associated with increased opioid consumption.