Trends in the cost and utilization of publicly dispensed respiratory inhalers in Ontario, Canada: a repeated cross-sectional study

Purpose — Several new respiratory inhalers have recently entered the market, including combination therapy products and generic alternatives. Therefore, we examined the cost and utilization of publicly dispensed respiratory inhalers in Ontario, Canada, and the impact of new market entrants on these trends.

Methods — We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study among provincial drug program beneficiaries dispensed a respiratory inhaler between January 1, 2003, and March 31, 2023. We estimated per-beneficiary spending on respiratory inhalers per quarter, defined as the cost (2022 Canadian dollars) of respiratory inhalers reimbursement divided by the number of beneficiaries dispensed a respiratory inhaler. Joinpoint regression models were used to characterize changes in the trend.

Results — Between Q1 of 2003 and Q1 of 2023, public payer spending rose 160% ($26 206 322 to $68 054 816), while the number of beneficiaries dispensed a respiratory inhaler increased 92% (155 893 to 299 418). Reimbursement of ICS/LABA inhalers accounted for half the cost ($33 844 484 in Q1 of 2023). The trend for per-beneficiary spending was marked by six joinpoints, with periods of increasing and decreasing quarterly costs. Between 2003 and 2015, per-beneficiary spending increased, reaching $248/beneficiary in Q1 of 2015. In Q2 of 2015, the trend decreased for the first time and continued to decline until Q2 of 2018 ($206/beneficiary). The trend increased again after Q3 of 2018 and reached a plateau in Q3 of 2019 ($216/beneficiary).

Conclusions — Public formulary listing of combination therapy inhalers, namely LAMA/LABA in Q2 of 2015, coincided with a significant decline in per-beneficiary spending on respiratory inhalers.