A commentary on a decrease in consumption of selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs)comparison between Slovakia and Nordic countries

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our work was to analyze utilization patterns in Slovakia and Nordic countries and to determine coxib risk perception among medical professionals. Methods: The consumption of coxibs in Slovakia during 1999-2009 was analyzed. Data were obtained from the State Institute for Drug Control in SR. Obtained results were compared to data based on annual health statistics in Denmark, Finland and Norway. General Practitioners were asked on a perceived risk. Results: We observed an increase of consumption in fi rst years, followed with a marked decrease after year 2004. Slovak consumption was very small. Coxibs represented in Slovakia only a small part of totally prescribed non-steroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs. They constituted only 1.44 % in the year 2003, whereas in Norway 41.2 %.14 % of respondents (n=570) marked coxibs to be the safest analgesic drug. Conclusion: Published data show that consumption of coxibs (rofecoxib was linked with serious thrombotic cardiovascular adverse effect) fall down markedly. Consumption data from 1999 until 2009 from Slovakia and three Nordic countries showed signifi cant differences (p<0.001). During the observed period, the utilization of coxibs in Slovakia was very small - a possible explanation is new drug, higher prize, doctor's habits.