Drug consumption in Norway 2018–2022, data fra wholesale statistics
Report
|Updated
The report Drug Consumption in Norway includes figures and information from wholesale drug statistics for the period 2018-2022.
Summary
This year’s report Drug consumption in Norway includes data and information from the Norwegian Drug Wholesales Statistics for the period 2018-2022. This report has previously also contained data from the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD). The Norwegian Prescription Database has been developed into a new and modern registery named the Norwegian Prescribed Drug Registry (NorPD). NorPD is still under development and data needed for this report is therefore delayed.
In 2022, drugs for human use were sold worth a total of NOK 25.6 billion (pharmacy purchase price (AIP)), an increase of 2.8% from the previous year (Table 3.1). Over time, there has been a steady increase in total sales measured in defined daily doses (DDD). In 2022, the number of DDDs was 4.9 % higher than the previous year. The sales include medicines with and without marketing authorisation in Norway. Non-prescription drugs accounted for around 9.5% of total sales measured in DDD. The sales of veterinary medicines were NOK 1.9 billion.
Figure 3.1.1 shows the development in total sales of drugs for human use in the period 2002 to 2022 in NOK (AIP) and DDD. Over time, the increase in cost has been higher than the increase in volume, measured in DDD. Increased prices as well as the introduction of new and more expensive drugs have affected the increase in cost. Financing the purchase of corona vaccines has contributed to a sharper increase in costs in the last couple of years. Costs will also be affected by exchange rates. Population growth and an increased proportion of older people also contribute to increased drug consumption.
Antineoplastic and immunomodulatory agents (ATC group L) had the highest turnover in NOK and accounted for 22% of costs for human medicines in 2022 (Table 3.1). The group includes expensive drugs for the treatment of cancer as well as biological drugs for the treatment of, for example, arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Many antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents do not have a DDD, thus the increase in sales of these agents will not be reflected in the number of doses (DDDs) sold (figure 3.1.2).
