Uptake and Outcomes Associated with Cyclooxgenase (COX-2) Inhibitors in Ontario's Elderly

Mamdani M, Kopp A, Laupacis A, Rochon PA, Juurlink DN, Anderson GM, Naglie G, Austin PC, Lee DS, Stukel T . July 2005

Many clinical and policy questions related to outcomes and costs have arisen following the recent introduction of a group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), selective cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors, to drug formularies.

The purpose of this report is to:

• Examine clinically relevant outcomes associated with COX-2 inhibitors relative to nonselective NSAIDS among an elderly population;
• Examine changes in population costs to the health care system and clinical outcome rates following the introduction of COX-2 inhibitors to the Ontario Drug Benefit formulary; and
• Examine basic adherence rates associated with COX-2 inhibitors and nonselective NSAIDS among an elderly population.

Keywords: Drugs (pain) Comparative effectiveness Medication adherence