From Heartburn to Oncology

Over the past twenty years, there have been significant shifts in the use of medicines per ATC. Did you know, for example, that the use of medicines (in this case defined by units times pharmacy purchase price) of oncolytics has increased by a factor of 40 since 2004?

The use of immunosuppressive drugs has also risen sharply, namely 27 times compared to 2004. This growth is mainly due to the introduction of new innovative medicines, such as monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of malignancies, and TNF-alpha inhibitors for the treatment of Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

On the other hand, for example, the use of antacids has decreased by 28% compared to 2004. This can largely be attributed to the availability of generic drugs.

These developments underscore the dynamic nature of the pharmaceutical market and the ongoing innovations in drug development. While some therapies are becoming more affordable thanks to generic alternatives, the demand for cutting-edge treatments is also increasing. In the volatile pharmaceutical market, Farminform, as a reliable and independent data trust, is an essential source for accurate and valuable insights.

For more information or insights into ATC classes, which are not included in the animation, please contact Thomas Hulst, PhD.

Note: the amounts shown in the animation are based on the AIP (pharmacy purchase price). The actual amounts may differ due to agreements made.