Antidiabetic medications use trends in an Andalusian region from 2001 to 2014.

Abstract

There is a widening range of antidiabetic medications available; however changes in consumption patterns remain poorly documented. The aim of this study is to analyze the evolution of consumption of antidiabetic medications during the period 2001-2014 in an Andalusian region. All antidiabetic medicines on the market were selected for analysis. Consumption data were obtained for the 15-year period and were expressed in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DHD). During the study period consumption of insulins grew only a 2.2%, from 17.9 DHD to 18.3 DHD, while oral agents increased a 27.6%, from 41.3 DHD to 52.7 DHD. Consumption of sulfonylureas was gradually reduced from 30.1 DHD to 16.4 DHD but metformin (alone) usage increased from 4.3 DHD to 23.7 DHD, and was the most consumed agent in 2014. A rise in consumption of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and "other hypoglycemic agents" was also noticed. Overall expenditure in antidiabetic medications increased notably from 4.5 in 2001 to 14.4 million euros in 2014. We highlight the market uptake of antidiabetic drugs commercialized during the last decade; despite further exploration is needed to clarify the cost-benefit ratio of these new antidiabetic medicines.