A Descriptive Study of Medicine Utilisation in Côte D’ivoire

  • Jérôme Kouame School of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Sciences and Public Health, University Félix Houphouet- Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Régine Attia-Konan School of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Sciences and Public Health, University Félix Houphouet- Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Kouame Koffi School of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Sciences and Public Health, University Félix Houphouet- Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Paul Yapo Yapi School of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Sciences and Public Health, University Félix Houphouet- Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
  • Serge Oga School of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Sciences and Public Health, University Félix Houphouet- Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Keywords: Medicine utilisation, ATC/DDD methodology, Africa, Mutual Insurance Company, Retrospective analysis

Abstract

Background: The measurement of medicine utilisation is of considerable benefit for policymakers in the planning and assessment of medicine policies. This study aimed to describe the temporal trends and utilisation patterns of medicines in Côte d’Ivoire.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective description of medicine utilisation at the MUGEFCI. Main subscribers and beneficiaries aged 15 and over who used at least one drug reimbursed between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2018 were included. Data were retrieved from the MUGEFCI database and described via the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology. The results were expressed as defined daily doses per 1,000 insureds per day (DID). The prevalence and incidence of medicine utilisation were calculated.

Results: Between 2014 and 2018, the overall prevalence of use increased from 17.98% (95% CI: 17.90% - 18.05%) to 20.87% (95% CI: 20.80% - 20.94%). There was an 18.96% decrease in the incidence of use, from 6.11% (95% CI: 6.06% - 6.15%) to 4.90% (95% CI: 4.91% - 4.99%). Total medicine utilisation increased from 169.60 DID in 2014 to 218.61 DID in 2018. Each year, the medicines with the highest rate of utilisation were those for the cardiovascular system (C), anti-infectives for systemic use (J) and alimentary tract and metabolism (A). Approximately 50% of the medicine used belong to four therapeutic groups: antibacterials for systemic use (J01), agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system (C09), calcium channel blockers (C08), and drugs used in diabetes (A10).

Conclusion: Medicine utilisation has shown an increasing trend. A study of the factors that explain this growth can provide decision-makers with arguments for ensuring that they are used rationally

Published
2025-11-28
Section
Articles