State and Territory Based Sacubitril/Valsartan Utilisation in 2023.

Abstract

Background: Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality within Australia. Sacubitril/Valsartan has significant mortality benefit in HFrEF, yet has previously been shown to be underutilised in Australia with significant state-based variance. Method(s): State based Medicare Australia prescription statistics for Sacubitril/Valsartan were analysed in 2023, and compared to estimated yearly HFrEF burden, based on published projections and Bureau of Statistics data. Result(s): Overall National prescribing of Sacubitril/Valsartan is low at 122 per 1000 HFrEF patients per month Queensland has the highest prescription rate at 161 per 1000 HFrEF patients per month, whilst the Northern Territory has the lowest at 40 per 1000 HFrEF patients per month. Australia's two most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria, prescribe at 116 and 108 per 1000 HFrEF patients per month, respectively. Conclusion(s): State based prescription data for Sacubitril/Valsartan mirror the national data with significant underutilisation, however significant heterogenicity that cannot be accounted for simply by population and health expenditure. Our finding suggests more is needed to understand and subsequently address these healthcare disparities.Copyright � 2024