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335454
Analysis of Trends in Utilization and Cost of Insulins in Canada and the US


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 10:50 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.

Stefan Dimario, PharmD, International Center for Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, MCPHS University, Boston, MA
Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, Ph.D., International Center of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA
Tewodros Eguale, MD, International Center for Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA
Benard Tyrell, School of Pharmacy, MCPHS University, Boston, MA
  
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Background

Canada and the US are among the advanced economies with the highest prevalence of diabetes in adults in the World (9.2% and 10.3% in 2010, respectively). Insulin is used in type-1 diabetes and in type-2 diabetes with inappropriate glycemic control with non-insulin antidiabetic drugs.

Objectives

This study compared the utilization in units and the cost of insulins in the US and Canada in the period second quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2014.

Methods

Data were extracted from the database IMS Dataview and included utilization in units (i.e. insulin adult doses) and ex-manufacturer sales in current US dollars. The average ex-manufacturer sales per unit was calculated. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis.

Results

Overall, the utilization of insulins increased from 11.9 to 19.6 units per 1000 population in the US and from 18.2 to 27.4 units per 1000 population in Canada during the period of analysis. The average ex-manufacturer cost per unit increased from $40.0 to $80.9 in the US and from $10.7 to $13.0 in Canada.  The ex-manufacturer sales per 1000 population increased from $477.5 to $1,585.5 in the US and from $195.4 to $355.6 in Canada.

Conclusions

The utilization and cost of insulin increased in the US and Canada between 2008 and 2014. Canada had lower obesity prevalence but higher insulin utilization per capita than the US. The US had significantly higher cost per unit and sales per capita than Canada. Further analysis of the factors explaining differences in utilization is needed.

Learning Areas:

Biostatistics, economics
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Analyze differences in insulin utilization and cost in the US and Canada. Describe trends in insulin utilization and cost in both countries. Discuss potential reasons explaining the substantial differences in insulin utilization in the US and Canada.

Keyword(s): Health Care Costs, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a fellow in health economics and outcomes research and I do research in the area of diabetes.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
MCPHS-BD Fellowship Diabetes post-grad industry fellow employed by MCPHS working at host company Becton Dickinson

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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