Data Source

Registry

Type of Study

Registry

Data gathering method

Registries

Conditions of access

Formal agreements (e.g. fees, research contracts, institutional agreements, etc.)

Researchers can gain access to the database through Statistics Denmark. SSI transfers data to Statistics Denmark once a year.

Time elapsed between application and reception of data

Permission to use the Danish Register of Medicinal Product Statistics has to be requested from the Danish Data Protection Agency. This will extend the application process by 1-2 months.

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)

Anonymised microdata

Formats available

SAS

Language issues

Documentation is only available in Danish.

Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes

The registry collects data annually and it covers all Danish citizens who have been prescribed medicine.

First year of collection

1995

Stratification if applicable

Detailed Information on the entire Danish population’s purchase of prescription medicine. Around 30 items of information are registered at each sale, including personal id number of medicine user, product code, number of packets sold, etc.

Base used for sampling

N.A.

Geographical coverage and breakdowns

N.A.

Age range

N.A.

Statistical representativeness

Registry covers all Danes who have been prescribed medicine.

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics

Covers health

Further Reading

More information at www.ssi.dk/.../Laegemiddelstatistikregisteret.aspx

Standardisation

Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC) Defined Daily Dose (DDD) Name of medicinal product

Possibility of linkage among databases

Data from the Register of Medicinal Product Statistics can be linked to other register data available at Statistics Denmark through an encrypted identification key.

Entry errors if applicable

N.A.

Breaks

N.A.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection

N.A.

Strengths: This registry covers the entire Danish population over a long period of time and is very detailed. The data is reported monthly. Information is provided in English: www.ssi.dk/.../...nal%20Products%20Statistics.aspx