The National Use of Antiosteoporosis Medication in 2009

Sang, Jae Hong; Park, Hyoung Moo

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Osteoporosis is the most common chronic skeletal disease in postmenopausal women. The total sales of anti-osteoporosis medications have rapidly increased in Korea in recent years because of the rapid aging of our society. This study was intended to evaluate the trend in the use of anti-osteoporosis medications in 2009.
METHODS
Data from the International Marketing Service (IMS) were used to analyze the sales of medications for osteoporosis. The total sales of anti-osteoporosis medications were considered to correspond to the use of anti-osteoporosis medications.
RESULTS
The total market of anti-osteoporosis medications including hormones and calcium was 213.9 billion Korea won (KRW). The proportion of anti-osteoporosis medications accounted for by hormones and calcium was 16% and 84%, respectively. The total consumption of calcium was 26.9 billion KRW and nearly all the sales were over-the-counter products. Total hormone consumption was 35.6 billion KRW, of which tibolone comprised 41%. Bisphosphonate consumption was 129.6 billion KRW; the proportion of bisphosphonates in non-hormonal medications was 85.6%, followed in order by vitamin D (6.9%), raloxifene (5.0%), and calcitonin (2.0%).
CONCLUSION
The most commonly used anti-osteoporosis medications based on sales were bisphosphonates comprising 60.6% of the total sales, followed by hormones and vitamin D.