Exenatide for type 2 diabetes: analysis of predicted versus actual utilisation
Page last updated: 6 March 2015
Drug utilisation sub-committee (DUSC)
October 2014
Abstract
Purpose
To assess the predicted versus actual use of exenatide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Background
At the time of the 12 month predicted versus actual analysis of exenatide the DUSC considered that utilisation would increase. There was higher than expected use of the
5 microgram strength. The DUSC recalled that 16 % of exenatide use appeared to be co-administered with insulin, for which exenatide was not subsidised for.
Date of listing on PBS
Exenatide was listed on 1 August 2010 for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2:
- as dual therapy with metformin or a sulfonylurea in patients contraindicated or intolerant to a combination of a sulphonylurea and metformin; and
- as triple therapy with metformin and a sulphonylurea.
Data Source / methodology
The pharmacy claims data from the DUSC database and the Department of Human Services (DHS) prescription database was used for the analyses.
Key Findings
- An estimated 31 % of exenatide use is outside the PBS criteria, of which about half is in combination with insulin;
- There continues to be much higher than expected use of the 5 microgram strength;
- Exenatide is most often used in triple therapy regimens (50.4 %) and dual therapy regimens (34.1 %). It is also prescribed as monotherapy (5.6 %) and as quadruple therapy (9.9 %).
- The treatment pathways prior to exenatide are diverse.
