Dr Su-Yeon Yu - Consumption of Drugs used for Acid-related Disorders in Australia and Korea

Speaker:

Dr Su-Yeon Yu

Abstract:

Gastric acid-related disorders are very common and most patients have persisting or intrusive symptoms. Because of the high prevalence of gastric acid-related disorders, healthcare resource utilization is substantial. The aim of this study is to compare and contrast the use of PPIs, H2RAs and mucoprotective agents used for gastric acid-related disorder in Australia and Korea in the period 2004-2017, and explore the factors influencing the differences between two countries. Drugs prescription data for outpatients in Australia were extracted from the Australian Statistics on Medicines annual reports (2004-2015) and dose specific and expenditure data were obtained from the Medicare (2004-2017). Similar pharmaceutical data were obtained from Korean a National Health Insurance Service in Korea (2004-2017). We analyzed the volumes and expenditures of the drug use each year with Defined Daily Dose per 1,000 population per day (DDD/1,000/day) and Australian dollar by PPI, H2RA and mucoprotective drugs.

Total drug utilization for gastric acrid related disorders increased in two countries but shows different features. Overall drug use was somewhat higher in Australia but increased much faster in Korea, and more PPIs were used in Australia and more mucoprotective drugs and H2RAs are used in Korea. The drug expenditure and use of low-dose PPIs are more increasing in Korea. The majority of PPI use was GORD and other hypersecretory conditions in Australia and Korea, respectively. There are significant differences in Australia and Korea in use of drugs for gastric acid-related disorders.

We believe that this is mainly due to healthcare system, pharmaceutical policy, cultural/historical experience, economic and demographic aspects. As the true reasons driving the difference remain uncertain yet, further research is required and the appropriateness of increased utilization needs to be addressed.

Speaker bio:

Dr Su-Yeon Yu is a post-doctoral researcher working with Dr. Hollingworth and was honoured with Endeavour Scholarship & Fellowship which is provided by Australian Department of Education and Training. Currently, she is also a research fellow at National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency in Korea (similar to NICE in UK). She has worked at National Health Insurance Service and at Health Insurance Review and Assessment Agency (similar to PBAC in Australia) before. She is a committee member of ISPOR Korea Chapter (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research) and Korean Academy of Social & Managed Care Pharmacy. She has studied in Seoul National University, Korea; BSc in pharmacy, master degree in pharmacokinetics, phD in public health.  She mainly works on health technology assessment, economic evaluations, and pharmacoepidemiology.