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Original Report
Quality and completeness of utilisation data on biological agents across European countries: tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors as a case study
Article first published online: 10 JAN 2011
DOI: 10.1002/pds.2093
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Hoebert, J. M., Mantel-Teeuwisse, A. K., van Dijk, L., Laing, R. O. and Leufkens, H. G.M. (2011), Quality and completeness of utilisation data on biological agents across European countries: tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors as a case study. Pharmacoepidem. Drug Safe., 20: 265–271. doi: 10.1002/pds.2093
Publication History
- Issue published online: 24 FEB 2011
- Article first published online: 10 JAN 2011
- Manuscript Accepted: 23 NOV 2010
- Manuscript Revised: 26 OCT 2010
- Manuscript Received: 10 AUG 2010
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitor;
- biological;
- database;
- Europe;
- availability;
- utilisation
Abstract
Purpose
For optimal decision making on access to and regulations around biologicals availability of national utilisation data is a prerequisite. This study characterises the main categories of critical issues in collecting available national utilisation data on tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitors in different European countries.
Methods
Data were collected on characteristics of the nature of TNFalpha usage data and on usage of TNFalpha itself (2003–2007). Utilisation rates were expressed as defined daily doses (DDDs)/1000 inhabitants/day. Data from Denmark, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal were included.
Results
Characteristics of TNFalpha (usage settings and ways of distribution to patients) and databases (type of data collected, public availability and data sources) influenced the way data were collected and determined the type of research and policy questions that can validly be addressed. The prevailing differences in the structure of national databases are prohibitive for critical aspects of medicines utilisation studies. An increase in TNFalpha usage over time was observed in all countries and varied widely from 0.32 (Portugal) to 1.89 (Norway) DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day (2007).
Conclusions
In the European countries studied data on national TNFalpha usage is not easily, if at all accessible. Intercountry collaboration and sharing of technical resources will facilitate harmonisation of data collection allowing independent, population based, health and outcomes research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.