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Pharmaceutical consumption

Total pharmaceutical consumption according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification/Defined Daily Dose (DDD) system, created by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology. The unit of measurement is Defined Daily Dose (DDD), defined as the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used on its main indication in adults.

<p />The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system divides drugs into different groups according to the organ system on which they act and/or therapeutical, pharmacological and chemical characteristics. The main principles for the classification of medicinal substances according to the ATC is presented in the publication “Guidelines for ATC classification and DDD assignment”, WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, Oslo. The publication “ATC Index with DDDs” lists all assigned ATC codes and DDD values. Both these publications are updated annually.

<p />The ATC codes are based on the 2026 version of the ATC Index. All alterations implemented from January 2026 are available on the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology website at https://www.whocc.no/lists_of__temporary_atc_ddds_and_alterations/.

<p />Data should reflect, where possible, the total consumption for each pharmaceutical drug category, i.e. including consumption in hospitals.

<p />Please refer to the <a target="_blank" href="https://webfs-els.oecd.org/files/Health-Statistics/HEALTH_PHMC_Pharmaceutical-Market/1_Total-pharmaceutical-consumption-by-DDDs.pdf">Sources and Methods</a> for detailed country-specific information.