Trends of ambulatory oral anticoagulant prescription in five major cities of China, 2012–2017

BACKGROUND: The introduction of non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) has changed the landscape of preventing thromboembolism events in many countries. However, the prescription trends of oral anticoagulant (OAC) in China are still unclear, which were evaluated in this study through data extracted and summarized from 5 major cities as representatives. METHODS: This study was designed as a time-series study which was based on pharmacy prescription data. Analysis was performed on yearly aggregated visits and expenditure. The results were also stratified by indications and specialties. RESULTS: A total of 189,006 prescriptions of 67 hospitals in 6 years were included in the study. The average growth rates of overall visit and expenditure of OAC were 15.8 and 57.5%, respectively. The share of warfarin decreased and NOACs had taken 92% of cost, covering 28% of patients in 2017. The more frequently used NOACs were rivaroxaban and dabigatran. The use of OAC was differed by indication and specialty. CONCLUSION: The use of NOACs was found increasing rapidly in both visits and cost, sharing a majority of cost with a minority of patients. Attentions should be paid on the rational use of NOACs.