Impact of new therapeutic products for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in primary care in Madrid between 1996 and 2005

To analyze the trend of use of new drugs for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care of Madrid (Spain) between 1996 and 2005, and to evaluate its impact in terms of supply, use and costs. Drug utilization study of new products of the R03 group (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classificaction System: drugs for obstructive airway diseases) prescribed by doctors of primary care of Madrid, during 1996 and 2005. Information on drug utilization and cost was obtained from the prescription database. Date was expressed in daily doses defined by 1,000 inhabitants and day. The supply experiences few quantitative variations although of great qualitative interest, when disappearing drugs without therapeutic utility and commercializing 6 therapeutic new products. In 2005, the use of the 6 new products generates 28.03% of the total of the consumption and 79% of the costs. The new drugs of greater impact are salmeterol/fluticasone and tiotropio. The supply of medicines qualitatively improves when disappearing drugs without therapeutic utility. The consumption of therapeutic new products has a great impact on the total consumption of the R03 group and, mainly, in the costs by its elevated price, in spite of contributing only limited therapeutic advantages. The new drugs have been gotten up at great speed to the prescription.