New lists of top 10 subsidised medicines in Australia

MEDIA RELEASE

2 DECEMBER 2013

New lists of top 10 subsidised medicines in Australia

Cholesterol-lowering medicines known as statins top the list of the top 10 subsidised drugs in Australia again this year, according to data published in Australian Prescriber.

More than 20 million prescriptions for three different types of statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin) were filled under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, according to the annual list of Top 10 drugs in Australia for July 2012 – June 2013.

Atorvastatin also topped the list of most costly prescribed medicines, costing the government over $400 million a year.

In addition to statins, proton pump inhibitors (for reducing gastric acid production), pain relievers, ACE inhibitors (for high blood pressure and heart failure), and diabetes, asthma and blood pressure medicines also appeared in the list of top 10 most prescribed medicines.

To view the full lists of Top 10 drugs and other articles from the December issue of Australian Prescriber, visit www.australianprescriber.com

Individuals with questions about their medicine can call NPS Medicines Line (1300 MEDICINE or 1300 633 424), Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm AEST.

Other articles in this issue are

• Off-label prescribing

• Drug treatment for anxiety

ENDS

Australian Prescriber is an independent peer-reviewed journal providing critical commentary on therapeutic topics for health professionals, particularly doctors in general practice. It is published by NPS MedicineWise, an independent, not-for-profit organisation for quality use of medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. Australian Prescriber is published every two months, in hard copy distributed to health professionals free of charge, and online in full.

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