| Abstract [eng] |
Master’s Thesis of J. Latakaitė, Scientific Supervisor doc. dr. K. Garuolienė. Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Pharmacy and Pharmacology. Vilnius, 2026. Title: Accesibility of Biopharmaceuticals in Lithuania. Aim: To analyze differences in the accessibility of biopharmaceuticals across different Lithuanian regions. Objectives: 1. To determine trends in the consumption of biopharmaceuticals in Lithuania. 2. To assess the consumption rates of biopharmaceuticals in different regions of Lithuania. 3. To compare changes in the consumption of biopharmaceuticals in different regions of Lithuania. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the consumption of innovative biopharmaceuticals in Lithuania during 2019 – 2023 was conducted. The study used aggregated data obtained from the Register Center. The analysis was performed by therapeutic groups (innovative biological interleukin inhibitors, innovative oncological and innovative migraine prophylaxis related (anti - CGRP) biological medicines) and Lithuanian counties. Drug consumption was assessed according to the defined daily dose (DDD), defined daily dose per thousand inhabitants (DDD/1000) and Extremal Quotient (EQ). Descriptive data analysis was applied. Results: The study found a consistent increase in the consumption of innovative biopharmaceuticals in Lithuania between 2019 and 2023 from 0,02 percent to 1,53 percent (76,5 times). Regional differences were identified, with the highest consumption rates recorded in Vilnius and Kaunas counties, and the lowest in Tauragė and Marijampolė counties. DDD per 1000 inhabitants indicators revealed that consumption varied between counties regardless of their size. Analysis of regional variation showed that the highest variation was found in the oncological biopharmaceuticals group (EQ = 10), while the lowest was observed in the anti – CGRP group (EQ = 2,09). Conclusions: The consumption of innovative biopharmaceuticals in Lithuania between 2019 and 2023 increased consistently but differed significantly between therapeutic groups and counties. The regional differences indicates unequal access to innovative biopharmaceuticals across different counties of Lithuanian. |
