Anti-epileptic prescribing patterns in the South African private health sector (2008–2013)
Background: Little is known about longitudinal prescribing practices for anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in South Africa. The prescribing patterns and associated direct medicine costs of AEDs in the private health sector were investigated, using claims data from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2013. Me...
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AOSIS
2016-08-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5443 |
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| author | Karen Jacobs Marlene Julyan Martie S. Lubbe Johanita R. Burger Marike Cockeran |
| author_facet | Karen Jacobs Marlene Julyan Martie S. Lubbe Johanita R. Burger Marike Cockeran |
| author_sort | Karen Jacobs |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Little is known about longitudinal prescribing practices for anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in South Africa. The prescribing patterns and associated direct medicine costs of AEDs in the private health sector were investigated, using claims data from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2013.
Methods: The annual prevalence of prescriptions, AEDs and AED generics per patient with epilepsy (ICD-10 code G40) was determined. Cost analyses conducted included the calculation of the total direct cost of AEDs (medical scheme contribution, patient co-payment, and single exit price (SEP)), and the average cost per AED per year.
Results: Prevalence of patients claiming anti-epileptics ranged between 0.87% and 0.91% from 2008 to 2013. AED prescriptions/patient ranged from 11.76 (95% CI, 11.56–11.95)] in 2008 to 11.90 (95% CI, 11.71–12.09) in 2013. Patients aged 40–65 years had the highest number of AED prescriptions/year. Valproate was most prescribed, followed by lamotrigine and carbamazepine. Average cost per AED increased from R237.12 (95% CI, 233.58–240.65) in 2008 to R522.32 (95% CI, 515.24–529.41) in 2013, while the average patient co-payments increased from R27.76 (95% CI, 26.63–28.89) to R264.32 (95% CI, 260.61–268.03). Prescribing of generics increased by 12.84%.
Conclusions: Generic prescribing increased over time; however, patient co-payments increased dramatically. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c3fef04a408b42488a06c472c89a69a1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2016-08-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-c3fef04a408b42488a06c472c89a69a12025-08-20T03:47:09ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042016-08-0158410.4102/safp.v58i4.54434181Anti-epileptic prescribing patterns in the South African private health sector (2008–2013)Karen Jacobs0Marlene Julyan1Martie S. Lubbe2Johanita R. Burger3Marike Cockeran4Medicine Usage in South Africa, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, PotchefstroomMedicine Usage in South Africa, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, PotchefstroomMedicine Usage in South Africa, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, PotchefstroomMedicine Usage in South Africa, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, PotchefstroomMedicine Usage in South Africa, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, PotchefstroomBackground: Little is known about longitudinal prescribing practices for anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in South Africa. The prescribing patterns and associated direct medicine costs of AEDs in the private health sector were investigated, using claims data from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2013. Methods: The annual prevalence of prescriptions, AEDs and AED generics per patient with epilepsy (ICD-10 code G40) was determined. Cost analyses conducted included the calculation of the total direct cost of AEDs (medical scheme contribution, patient co-payment, and single exit price (SEP)), and the average cost per AED per year. Results: Prevalence of patients claiming anti-epileptics ranged between 0.87% and 0.91% from 2008 to 2013. AED prescriptions/patient ranged from 11.76 (95% CI, 11.56–11.95)] in 2008 to 11.90 (95% CI, 11.71–12.09) in 2013. Patients aged 40–65 years had the highest number of AED prescriptions/year. Valproate was most prescribed, followed by lamotrigine and carbamazepine. Average cost per AED increased from R237.12 (95% CI, 233.58–240.65) in 2008 to R522.32 (95% CI, 515.24–529.41) in 2013, while the average patient co-payments increased from R27.76 (95% CI, 26.63–28.89) to R264.32 (95% CI, 260.61–268.03). Prescribing of generics increased by 12.84%. Conclusions: Generic prescribing increased over time; however, patient co-payments increased dramatically.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5443anti-epilepticdirect medicine costslongitudinalmedicine claims databaseprescribing patternssouth africa |
| spellingShingle | Karen Jacobs Marlene Julyan Martie S. Lubbe Johanita R. Burger Marike Cockeran Anti-epileptic prescribing patterns in the South African private health sector (2008–2013) South African Family Practice anti-epileptic direct medicine costs longitudinal medicine claims database prescribing patterns south africa |
| title | Anti-epileptic prescribing patterns in the South African private health sector (2008–2013) |
| title_full | Anti-epileptic prescribing patterns in the South African private health sector (2008–2013) |
| title_fullStr | Anti-epileptic prescribing patterns in the South African private health sector (2008–2013) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anti-epileptic prescribing patterns in the South African private health sector (2008–2013) |
| title_short | Anti-epileptic prescribing patterns in the South African private health sector (2008–2013) |
| title_sort | anti epileptic prescribing patterns in the south african private health sector 2008 2013 |
| topic | anti-epileptic direct medicine costs longitudinal medicine claims database prescribing patterns south africa |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5443 |
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