DRUG-THERAPY IN MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS - A STUDY OF NOVA-SCOTIA SENIOR-CITIZENS

We conducted a study to determine the types and costs of drugs used by Nova Scotia senior citizens with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared wit h the types and costs of drugs used by all senior citizens in Nova Sco tia. Administrative claims databases from the Nova Scotia Seniors Phar macare program for persons aged 65 years or older were linked to the D alhousie Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit (DMSRU) clinical database (1 980-1994). Analyses compared persons with MS aged 65 years or older wh o attended the DMSRU at least once with the general population of seni or citizens. Not all persons with MS attended the DMSRU. In aggregate, Pharmacare costs in 1993-1994 for patients with MS aged 65 years or o lder (N = 52) were $975.00 Canadian per capita compared with $590.00 C anadian for all senior citizens in Nova Scotia (N = 108,646). Thus ave rage drug costs for the senior citizens with MS were 65% greater than those for all senior citizens covered by Nova Scotia's comprehensive, publicly funded Pharmacare program. Compared with other senior citizen s, those with MS more frequently received alpha-blockers, anticholiner gics, cholinergics, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antifa tigue agents, antispasticity agents, and antibiotics for bladder infec tions.