[Rational use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in primary care].
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) charged to the Andalusian Health Service and other health bodies, with a view to finding prescription quality and the pharmaceutical cost generated in the province of Sevilla in 1996.


METHODS
The 759 pharmacies in the province of Seville.


METHODS
Beneficiaries of the Andalusian Health Service (pensioners and non-pensioners) and other health bodies.


RESULTS
The overall quantitative consumption indicators of the entire therapeutic group, and the dose per inhabitant per day (DID) of the systemic active principles which were significantly most prescribed, were determined. 3967487 NSAID prescriptions were dispensed, at a pharmaceutical cost of 2369, 483, 257 pesetas. Naproxen and Piroxicam were the active principles most used in terms of their DIDs. Of the population groups analysed, it is essentially the pensioners group which consumes these drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
Seville province's NSAID use profile is inadequate, since the main drugs prescribed are those associated with high incidences of undesirable side-effects.
Romo Avilés
C
C
Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla.
Martín Calero
M J
MJ
Motilva Sánchez
V
V
Alarcón de la Lastra Romero
C
C
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013030:Spain
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal