| Abstract [eng] |
Master thesis of Eglė Voitinovičiūtė, Scientific Supervisor Associate Professor Jonas Grincevičius; Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Centre of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. Vilnius – 2026. Title of the thesis: Utilization of the Most Popular Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Lithuania and Denmark 2019–2024. Aim of the study: To analyze and evaluate the consumption patterns of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Lithuania and Denmark during 2019–2024. Tasks of the research: 1) To evaluate the overall consumption patterns of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Lithuania during 2019–2024 (combining data from community pharmacies and healthcare institutions). 2) To compare the consumption patterns of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Lithuania with those in Denmark. 3) To determine if the COVID-19 infection affected the consumption of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Lithuania. Methodology: A retrospective international comparative study was conducted to analyze the consumption of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol in Lithuania and Denmark in 2019–2024. Data were obtained from official publicly available sources: the State Medicines Control Agency of Lithuania (VVKT) and the Danish Medicines Agency (MedStat.dk). Drug consumption was assessed by defined daily doses (DDD) and DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DDD/TID). Microsoft Excel was used to prepare data (review of primary files, data, and preparation of intermediate tables). Statistical analysis data visualizations were performed using the RStudio environment (graphs and statistical tests). Results: The study found that the consumption of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol in Lithuania, expressed as DDD/TID, increased in 2019–2024. The 2024 value was higher than in 2019, with the highest level in 2022. The increase in overall consumption was mainly driven by ibuprofen, diclofenac and nimesulide. When comparing the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in matching drug categories only (diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib) together with analgesic paracetamol in Lithuania and Denmark, total consumption was higher in Denmark in all study years. This was mainly due to substantially higher paracetamol consumption in Denmark. For ibuprofen higher consumption was observed in Denmark during 2019–2021; however, from 2022 onwards, consumption became higher in Lithuania. During the COVID-19 period in Lithuania, the consumption of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs varied across analyzed periods. During the first lockdown and post-restriction period, total consumption was significantly higher than in the pre-COVID-19 period, whereas restrictions were lifted, the consumption of most investigated drugs increased while acetylsalicylic acid consumption decreased. Conclusion: 1) The consumption of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol in Lithuania increased in 2019–2024. The most consumed drugs were ibuprofen, diclofenac, and nimesulide. This trend may be associated with population ageing, an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and easy access to over-the-counter medicines. 2) Comparison between Lithuania and Denmark showed higher overall consumption of the analyzed drugs in Denmark, mainly driven by substantially higher paracetamol consumption. This may reflect differences in pain management recommendations, clinical practice, and medicine use patterns in the two countries. 3) During the COVID-19 period in Lithuania, the consumption of the most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol changed unevenly, with the largest changes after restrictions were lifted. This may be associated with changes in healthcare access, increased self-medication practices, and delayed treatment needs. |
