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

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 healthcare 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.