The Use of Osteoporosis Medications in Korea in 2008

Korean J Bone Metab > Volume 16(2); 2009 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Bone Metabolism 2009;16(2):87-93.

The Use of Osteoporosis Medications in Korea in 2008

국내 골다공증 관련 약제의 2008년 사용 현황

박형무,이은실,김상명

중앙대학교 용산병원 산부인과

Abstract

Objective
This study was to evaluate the trend in the use of osteoporosis medications during a year of 2008 and to estimate the trend of treatment for osteoporosis in the future.
Methods
Data from the International Marketing Service (IMS) were used to analyze treatment medication for osteoporosis. Specific pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments analyzed included calcium, hormone (estrogen, estrogen and progestogen combination, and tibolone), oral and intravenous bisphosphonate, raloxifene, calcitonin, vitamin D and others.
Results
The use of calcium have tended to rely on general practice without prescription. Of the cost of osteoporosis medications during a year of 2008, hormone represented about 20% and non-hormone represented about 80%. Bisphosphonates were most commonly used in 2008 and they came to 114 billion and 200 million won (85%) and then vitamin D (11 billion and 200 million won), raloxifene (6 billion and 200 million won), and calcitonin (2 billion won).
Conclusion
The most commonly used osteoporosis medication was bisphosphonates, especially once weekly oral bisphosphonates. Parathyroid hormone, the only bone formation drug, have been limitedly used because it is very expensive and should be given by daily SC injection. As once-monthly oral bisphosphonates and quarterly and yearly IV medications were developed, the increase of use of these medications would be expected. [Korean Journal of Bone Metabolism, 16(2): 87-93, 2009]

Key Words: Osteoporosis, Medications, Bisphosphonate