Drugs prescription for osteoporosis

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyse the evolution of the global and relative use of medicines recommended for osteoporosis during the period between 1998 and 2002 in Navarra, and their adaptation to present evidence, making reference to the differences in the prescription profile in primary and specialised care. To this end, information is used from all the prescriptions made within the National Health System where one of these medicines is recommended, issued in pharmacies of Navarra, and billed to the Navarra Health Service-Osasunbidea. The profile of the use of medicines in osteoporosis differs significantly depending on the type of specialist who prescribes them. It would be useful to homogenise the approach to the prevention of bone fractures. In the period under study the use of medicines in Navarra rose by some 85.6% in number of dose/1,000 inhabitants/day. The relative use of hormone replacement therapy fell constantly, the employment of calcitonins remained steady, undergoing a cyclical profile of peaks in winter and valleys in summer, while the relative use of biphosphonates and raloxifen tended to increase. There is a need to evaluate the results on health of the use of these medicines in clinical practice given the discreet efficacy results obtained in clinical trials. Use of calcium should be encouraged because of its potential in the prevention of hip fractures against the rest of the medicinal alternatives. The relative use of raloxifen and calcitonins seems excessive.