The usage of over-the-counter products by private insured patients in Germany - a claims data analysis with focus on complementary medicine.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An important contribution to well-being of human beings can be observed by the use of self-medication products that is reflected in the constantly growing volume of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The aim of the current study was to extend the measurement concept for OTCs by exploring the relevance of the peripheral assortment provided by the widely accepted framework of the Anatomical Therapeutical and Chemical (ATC) classification of the WHO.

Methods

The focus was on the prescriptions and drug-related receipts submitted by privately insured persons to 18 private health insurers (PHIs) in Germany from the year 2016. The age- and gender-specific average claims amount per risks of outpatient drug expenditure were used as weights to scale up the relative distributions

SUBMITTER: Goetz K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7359243 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature