Consumption of cardiovascular and antithrombotic drugs during the spread of coronavirus infection in retail sector of the Samara region pharmaceutical market

Aim. Study of multi-year sales statistics in pharmacy market segment to assess the volume and structure of consumed cardiovascular and antithrombotic drugs under COVID-19 pandemic conditions.

Material and methods. Data on nomenclature and sales volumes of drugs in pharmacy segment of Samara region in 2015–2020.

Results. It is shown that the share of basic cardiovascular drugs in physical terms is insignificant (5.2-3%). The largest volume of sales are drugs of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor group (28%) and b-adrenoblockers (23.5%). Fixed combinations of hypotensive drugs account for only 13% of the volume of sold basic cardiovascular drugs, and the share of statins is 7.6%, which does not correspond to their role as the most effective drugs in primary and secondary cardiac prevention. The share of antithrombotic drugs in total sales in volume terms was 0.45% in 2015–2019. In absolute terms, sales of anticoagulants and disaggregants increased in 2018–2020, which was accompanied by an average 15% increase in the cost per daily dose. Among disaggregants, acetylsalicylic acid (66.6%), clopidogrel (21.6%), and dipyridamole (10.2%) are most frequently sold. The share of disaggregants in sales fell from 74.8 to 57.6% at the expense of acetylsalicylic acid drugs. In 2020, consumption of dipyridamole increased significantly to 16.6% due to inclusion of the drug in protocols for managing patients with COVID-19. Among anticoagulants, the proportion of new oral medications is characterized by a progressive increase from 7.8% in 2015 to 27% in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the most demanded group of Xa factor blockers is dominated by apixaban (63.8%), which can be explained by the lower cost (by 16%) of a daily equivalent dose compared to rivaroxaban.

Conclusion. Low consumption of basic cardiovascular drugs among the population of Samara region, especially statins and combined hypotensive drugs was observed. During COVID-19 pandemic there was an increase in consumption of antithrombotic drugs, due to dipyridamole and new oral anticoagulants.