Reliable data on Viagra prescriptions requires accessing multiple sources. We primarily used IMS Health’s National Prescription Audit data, a widely respected database providing detailed prescription information across the US. This dataset offers robust, anonymized patient-level information, including drug name, dosage, quantity, and date of prescription.
To supplement this primary source, we incorporated data from IQVIA, another prominent provider of pharmaceutical market intelligence. Comparing data across these two independent sources allowed for validation and identification of potential discrepancies. Discrepancies were analyzed, and we carefully documented any limitations.
Our analysis focused on yearly prescription counts, eliminating monthly fluctuations. We recognized the limitations of using prescription data alone. It doesn’t reflect medication obtained through other avenues (e. g., grey markets). We acknowledge this limitation in our conclusions.
We employed statistical methods appropriate for large datasets. We used linear regression to identify trends, controlling for factors like population growth and age demographics. We also calculated confidence intervals to quantify the uncertainty associated with our estimates.
| IMS Health | National Prescription Audit | Large sample size, detailed data | Access restrictions, potential for reporting delays |
| IQVIA | Pharmaceutical Market Data | Independent verification, broad market coverage | Cost, less granular data in certain areas |
Finally, we reviewed existing literature on Viagra prescription trends to contextualize our findings and identify potential biases that might impact our results. We openly discussed these limitations in our analysis.
