Introduction: The purpose of this survey was to map the sale of analgesics in the Danish primary care sector from 2000 to 2004.
Materials and methods: Data on analgesics and NSAIDs were drawn from the Register of Medicinal Products Statistics. Sales in 2004 and changes from 2000 to 2004 are treated with descriptive statistics. Our focus was on analgesics bought on prescription.
Results: In 2004, approximately 580,000 persons bought an analgesic on prescription. Including NSAIDs it is a total of approximately 1.16 million people. Between 2000 and 2004, the number of users increased by 10%. STRONG OPIOIDS: The number of users was almost unchanged from 2000 to 2004. Most people bought ketobemidone and morphine, even though the number of these users decreased. In contrast, the number of oxycodone users increased greatly. Several-time users of oxycodone are often new users of strong opioids. Likewise, the number of users of transdermal fentanyl and buprenorphine patches increased. WEAK OPIOIDS: The number of users increased by approximately 31,000 (10%), due to a greater number of users of tramadol, while the number of users of other weak opioids decreased. Thirty percent of several-time users of tramadol had not previously bought other analgesics on prescription. NSAIDs: The number of users increased by approximately 95,000 (13%). After 2002, the number of coxib users decreased concurrently with an increased usage of other NSAIDs. After coxib treatment, 29% of several-time users did not shift to other analgesics bought on prescription. WEAK NON-OPIOIDS: The number of users increased by approximately 42,000 (15%). The majority were users of paracetamol.
Conclusion: In 2004, every fifth Danish citizen bought analgesics on prescription. Between 2000 and 2004, the number increased. In particular, the number of users of NSAIDs was large. The number of users of strong opioids did not increase as did the number of users of the other groups of analgesics, but within that group there was a shift to more expensive drugs.