Statistical presentation

Data description

The statistics are compiled so that the number of individuals with redeemed prescriptions, the total number of redeemed prescriptions, and the number of prescriptions redeemed per person can be broken down by medication type, gender, age, residence, origin, education, and labor market affiliation.

Classification system

When publishing the statistics "Sales of prescription medicine (Experimental statistics)" the following classifications are used:

• Type of medicine: The medicines are grouped according to the ATC system (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System). In the ATC system, human medicines are classified according to the active substances, as well as therapeutic and pharmacological properties. The ATC system is divided into five hierarchical levels. In the this statistics the medicines are divided according to the two upper levels of the ATC system. Under the 1st level, the medicine is divided into 14 groups according to the human organ system:

A: Alimentary tract and metabolism

B: Blood and blood forming organs

C: Cardiovascular system

D: Dermatologicals

G: Genito urinary system and sex hormones

H: Systemic hormonal preparations, excl. Sex hormones and insulins

J: Antiinfectives for systemic use

l: Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents

M: Muscle relaxants

N: Nervous system

P: Antiparasitic products, insecticides and repellent

R: Respiratory system

S: Sensory organs

V: Various

Under the 2nd level, the medicines are further divided into therapeutic/pharmacological subgroups. In the tables, it has been necessary to combine several of the ATC2 groups because few individuals have redeemed prescriptions for drugs in these categories. The names indicate which groups have been combined.

An overview of ATC

• Highest Education Attained classified on Classification of education (DDU) and is divided into the following categories: Basic school; Upper secondary education; Vocational education; Short-cycle higher education; Medium-cycle higher education; Long-cycle higher education, PhD programme etc. and Unknow level of education.

• Ancestry is divided into the following categories; Persons of Danish origin; Immigrants; Descendants.

‡- Relatives is divided into the following categories: Lives with one parent; Lives with two parents; Has a partner and no other relatives; Has a partner and other relatives; Has no partner but has other relatives; Has neither a partner nor other relatives.

• Labour market affiliation is divided into the following categories: Students, persons under 15 years and others; Employed; Unemployed; Long-term sick leave, vocational rehabilitation, etc.; Disability pensioner; Oldage pensioner.

• Residence is divided into municipal and region.

Sector coverage

The pharmacy sector in Denmark.

Statistical concepts and definitions

Prescription: An instruction from a doctor for the administration of medicines.

Medicine: Agent used to treat diseases in humans, e.g. in the form of pills.

Statistical unit

Persons who have redeemed at least one prescription in the reference year.

Redeemed prescriptions.

Statistical population

Persons who have redeemed at least one prescription in the reference year.

Reference area

Denmark

Time coverage

The statistics cover the period 1st of January 2020 - 31st of December 2024.

Base period

Not relevant for this statistic

Unit of measure

Number, Proportion and Number of prescriptions per citizen

Reference period

The year of the date of sales

Frequency of dissemination

Yearly.

Legal acts and other agreements

There is no EU regulation concerning the statistics.

Cost and burden

There is no response burden as the data are collected via administrative registers.

Comment

Other information can be found at the subject page Consultations with physicians.