A comparison of mycophenolate use in Australia and Northern Europe, and the impact on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterise utilisation of mycophenolate in Australian transplant recipients from 2001 to 2007; to identify specific patterns of mycophenolate mofetil and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium usage; to examine expenditure on mycophenolate prescription and to compare Australian usage with Danish, Finish and Netherlands populations.

METHODS: Data on mycophenolate usage were obtained from Medicare Australia, Finish and Danish Medicines Agency and Netherlands Healthcare Insurance Board databases. Utilisation of mycophenolate was described as daily defined dose (DDD/per 1000 population/day).

RESULTS: From 2001 to 2007, utilisation of mycophenolate in Australia increased approximately 30-fold. In 2007, mycophenolate sodium accounted for 8.3% of mycophenolate total DDDs. In 2007, AUD$4,890,000 was spent on mycophenolate prescription. In 2006, utilisation of mycophenolate was five- to eight-fold higher in Northern Europe compared to Australia. Renal transplant rates per 1000 population/year were similar across countries.

CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the rate of mycophenolate utilisation between Northern Europe and Australia exist and may be due to differences in approved indications between countries, prescribing habits, or because of a more mature market in Europe. If the Australian market increases to that of North Europe the cost of prescribing mycophenolate will eventually be in the vicinity of AUD$20-80 million.