Table 7
lists the 2010 sales per ATC main group measured in million DDDs and in million NOK, pharmacy purchase price (AIP).
ATC group L - Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents, has had a gradual increasing share of total sales which can be explained by increased use of new medicines (ATC group L04) for the treatment of e.g. rheumatoid arthritis. ATC group L had a share of 21% of total costs of human medicines in 2010 and is the largest group in terms of cost in 2010.
There has been a large decrease of 28% in sales in NOK in ATC group J - Antiinfectives for systemic use in 2010 compared to 2009. This can be explained by the particular high sales in this group in 2009 because of sales of the flu pandemic (i.e. sales of flu pandemic vaccines and ativirals (Tamiflu® and Relenza®.
ATC group C - Cardiovascular system has had a gradually decreasing share of total costs, which can be explained by the introduction of price regulating systems and implementation of a new reimbursement regulations. Measured in DDDs the sales of cardiovascular drugs increased by 3% in 2010, while the cost was reduced by 8%.
Sales in ATC group Q - Veterinary medicines increased by 14% in 2010. This group includes veterinary vaccines and most agents used in fish farming.