Trends in Medicines Usage in ATC Group L01

The work analyzes trends in medicines used in specialized medical centers from ATC (Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical Classification System) L01 in Czech Republic from perspective of the State Institute of Drug Control (SUKL) and of Czech Health Insurance Companies (Vseobecna zdravotni pojistovna Ceske republiky as the biggest one, and rest joined in Svaz zdravotnich pojišťoven Ceske republiky). SUKL perspective considers medicines delivered to healthcare facilities and the other side providing information regarding payments for L01 medicines between years 2012-2015. Conclusions presented show slightly decreasing trend in terms of number of packages delivered (935 ths. in 2012 and 931 ths. in 2015). On the other hand, value of medicines has increased from 5 067 mil. CZK in 2012 to 6 568 mil. CZK in 2015. The increase in value and decrease in volume in the same time (while prices remain stable or decreasing) indicates trend in increasing size of packaging or entry of new strength (with more active ingredient and therefore more expensive) e.g. entry of Herceptin 600 mg in 2014. This paper further identifies the most expensive medicines in ATC L01 group and starts a discussion about possible reasons of discrepancies between different sources of data which are for the most expensive medicines in hundreds of mil. CZK in value and ths. of packages in terms of volume (e.g. Avastin in 2014: difference 104 mil. CZK and 5 598 packages)