The effect of reimbursement on the use of antibiotics.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of a reduction on the reimbursement of drugs on the use of antibiotics by general practitioners in Denmark.


METHODS
A prospective study using a questionnaire comparing the results with a similar study 3 years before, a period with normal reimbursement.


METHODS
553 general practitioners prescribed antibiotics for 5765 patients.


METHODS
Number of treated patients and choice of antibiotics.


RESULTS
7607 patients were treated in 1987 compared with 5765 in 1990, the relative number of patients treated for sinusitis, other upper respiratory tract infections, acute bronchitis, pneumonia and upper gynaecological infections was significantly less in 1990 than in 1987. Other infections, particularly those that are often diagnosed by culture or microscopy by the general practitioners themselves, increased significantly. They included tonsillitis and urinary tract infections.


CONCLUSIONS
Reimbursement can be a very powerful tool controlling the use of antibiotics by general practitioners.
Friis
H
H
Department of clinical microbiology, Slagelse Hospital, Denmark.
Bro
F
F
Eriksen
N R
NR
Mabeck
C E
CE
Vejlsgaard
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D016527:Drug Costs; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005194:Family Practice / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents