RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Platelet antiaggregants are basic drugs for preventing ischemic arterial diseases. This study is aimed at ascertaining the trend in their use in Primary Care in the Autonomous Community of Valencia during the 2000-2005 period. METHODS: Descriptive study of the use of platelet antiaggregants (ATC code: B01AC) dispensed charged to the National Health System in the Autonomous Community of Valencia in Primary Care. Data given in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day. RESULTS: In 2005, three drugs totalled 98% of all those prescribed overall (acetyl salicylicacid (ASA) 66%, clopidogrel 23% and triflusal 9%). Oral antiaggregant use rose by 23% within the 2000-2005 period (from 29.6 to 36.5 DDD/1000 inhab./day). Clopidogrel showed a 218% increase, whilst ASA was the most used drug, with quite a stable percentage of use throughout said time period (nearing 70%). The expense generated by this group of drugs doubled, clopidogrel having been the highest-cost drug/DDD (2.14 EUROS), its use having totalled 23% of all antiaggregants yet the expense thereof having totalled 76% of the total expenditure. CONCLUSIONS: The use of antiaggregants increased in the Autonomous Community of Valencia during the time period under study. The utilization of ASA remained stable, whilst clopidogrel increased its market share despite the treatment guide recommendations and the restrictions on its use. The consumption of clopidogrel noticeably contributed to the drug spending for this group.