(147) Antiplatelet Drug Utilization Trends in Hungary from 2012 to 2022

Background: Antiplatelet drugs play an important role in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, especially in myocardial infarction and stroke, but there are several other indications as well. In Hungary, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates are high, which often necessities the use of antiplatelet drugs. Understanding the utilization trends of these drugs provides crucial insights into treatment strategies.

Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the ambulatory, reimbursed use of antiplatelet drugs in Hungary between 2012 and 2022.

Methods: Data was collected from the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund database including ambulatory, reimbursed medication use. Data was analysed according to WHO’s ATC/DDD methodology and expressed in Defined Daily Dose per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/TID).

Results: The use of antiplatelet drugs (B01AC) slightly increased from 59.27 DDD/TID in 2012 to 63.67 DDD/TID in 2022. Over years, acetylsalicylic acid was the most commonly used antiplatelet medication, 46.36 DDD/TID in 2012 and 48.18 DDD/TID in 2022. Clopidogrel was the second mostly used agent, with 11.73 DDD/TID in 2012 and 11.56 DDD/TID in 2022. Cilostazol was first available in 2014, having 0.16 DDD/TID use, which increased to 3.34 DDD/TID in 2022. The use of other antiplatelet drugs (ticlopidine, dipyridamole, treprostinil, prasugrel, ticagrelor, selexipag) remained marginal.

Conclusions: Over the 11-year study period, the ambulatory, reimbursed antiplatelet medication use showed a slight increase, with acetylsalicylic acid being the leading agent, followed by clopidogrel.