Global Consumption Trend of Antifungal Agents in Humans From 2008 to 2018: Data From 65 Middle- and High-Income Countries
- Author(s)
- Pathadka, S; Yan, VKC; Neoh, CF; Al-Badriyeh, D; Kong, DCM; Slavin, MA; Cowling, BJ; Hung, IFN; Wong, ICK; Chan, EW;
- Details
- Publication Year 2022-07,Volume 82,Issue #11,Page 1193-1205
- Journal Title
- Drugs
- Publication Type
- Research article
- Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Understanding the trend of global antifungal agent consumption could assist with identification of global healthcare policy inadequacies and promote accessibility and availability of antifungal agents. METHODS: Using pharmaceutical sales data from the IQVIA-multinational integrated data analysis system database, we assessed use of systemic antifungal agents in humans in 27 middle- and 38 high-income countries from 2008 through 2018. RESULTS: Consumption of systemic antifungal agents increased from 0.50 (in 2008) to 0.92 defined daily dose (DDD)/1000 inhabitants/day (in 2018), with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. High-income countries remain major consumers of antifungal agents with large variance in quantities consumed, with a gradual decline in consumption in recent years. Consumption in middle-income countries increased. Itraconazole (0.32 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day), terbinafine (0.30 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day), and fluconazole (0.23 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) were the most commonly used antifungal agents in middle- and high-income countries in 2018. Following incorporation into the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List, itraconazole consumption in middle-income countries surged. Consumption of ketoconazole slowly declined, with 5.04% annual decrease, probably due to labelling changes in 2013 to reflect hepatotoxicity concerns. The use of polyenes (0.004 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) and echinocandins (0.003 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) were lowest among all the antifungal drug classes. CONCLUSION: Global consumption of triazoles and terbinafine has gradually increased in middle- and high-income countries. Life-saving antifungal agents, including echinocandins and polyenes, are available only parenterally and may be underutilized, mainly in middle-income countries. Future research on country-specific epidemiology is warranted to guide health policy coordination to ensure equitable access to appropriate use of antifungal agents.
- Keywords
- *Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use; Developed Countries; Echinocandins; Humans; *Itraconazole/therapeutic use; Polyenes; Terbinafine
- Department(s)
- Infectious Diseases
- PubMed ID
- 35960433
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-022-01751-x
- Open Access at Publisher's Site
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-022-01751-x- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2025-02-14 06:28:01
Last Modified: 2025-02-14 06:31:35