A79 Provincial Data in Alberta Reveal a Clear Need to Address Overprescribing of Proton Pump Inhibitors

Abstract

Background Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in Canada. They are effective for several upper GI-disorders, have a very favorable safety profile and therefore there are few barriers to prescribing. Concern about overuse of PPIs has been growing. Many patients do not need long term treatment. Patients starting PPI should receive short term therapy (e.g. 8 weeks) and if they respond the need for long term therapy needs to be determined. The usual starting dose is once a day for most indications. Evidence suggests a lack of ongoing indication for PPI in 40–55% of primary care patients.There are economic implications of overuse of PPIs. Public drug spending on PPIs in Canada totaled $288.3 million of $13.5 billion spent in 2017. Aims To analyze prescribing data for all PPI prescriptions in Alberta for the years 2017–18 and 2018–19 and 2019–2020, to document number of prescriptions >60 days, the number of new versus repeat prescriptions, proportion of new prescriptions at a greater than 1x daily dose, the proportion of prescriptions written by primary care physicians and to estimate the number of prescriptions targetted for deprescribing. Methods Data were obtained anonymously from the Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) database from community based pharmacies in Alberta. PPIs were identified using DIN numbers. Prescribed dose and duration were obtained, as well as data on repeat prescriptions. The number of prescriptions that could be targeted for deprescribing was also estimated. Results The results are shown in table 1. More than 10% of the population receives a prescription each year. Of these 25–31% were new prescriptions and 69–75% were refills. The percentage of patients who were prescribed PPIs for more than 60 days was 26–28%. Furthermore, 23% of all prescriptions had a defined daily dosage greater than the recommended standard dose of once a day therapy for most indications.75% of all prescriptions are written by family physicians. Conclusions Prescription rates of PPIs are very high in Alberta and 75% of patients are on longer term therapy. There likely is significant overprescribing of PPIs, estimated to be up to 40% of patients filling PPI prescriptions in Alberta. This represents a significant avoidable medication and system burden and patient costs. The starting dose of new prescriptions is also high, despite the fact that for most indications the daily dose should be 1x a day. A 20% reduction in prescribing would save at least $ 9 million in Alberta. A deprescribing project has been initiated by the Digestive Health Strategic Clinical Network, a multi-stakeholder network, which addresses important GI issues in Alberta. Funding Agencies None