An investigation into antidiabetic medication prescribing in South Africa.
BACKGROUND
The number of people with diabetes in Africa is expected to triple in the next 15 years, which will have a significant impact on the prescribing and use of antidiabetic medication.


OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prescribing patterns of antidiabetic medication that are used on a chronic basis in South Africa.


METHODS
Prescribing data of 1100 diabetic patients were retrospectively analysed over a 1-year period.


RESULTS
The average age of patients was 53.2 years (SD = 16.4 years), with more male than female patients. The oral antidiabetic drugs accounted for 67.4% of all the antidiabetic products prescribed, with the sulphonylureas the most frequently prescribed antidiabetic therapeutic subgroup. Glicazide was the single most frequently prescribed oral antidiabetic drug, accounting for 38.2% of all oral agents. Biphasic insulin was the most frequently prescribed class of insulin. Fifty-seven patients were using insulin as well as one or more oral antidiabetic drugs. Cardiovascular system drugs, nervous system drugs and drugs acting on the alimentary tract and metabolism together accounted for more than half of the drugs that were prescribed concurrently with antidiabetic medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research on the prescribing of antidiabetic medication should be conducted focusing on the qualitative aspects of treatment and treatment costs as well as studies on antidiabetic treatment in the public health sector.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, South Africa.
I
I
Truter
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013019:South Africa
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin