Use of systemic anti-infective agents in Iran during 1997-1998.
OBJECTIVE
Conduction of standardized national drug utilization review to investigate the pattern of systemic anti-infective agent use in Iran.


METHODS
The wholesale data were used. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and the defined daily dose (DDD) methodology was employed. Data were presented as DDD/1,000 inhabitants"day. Results were compared using national drug statistics of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.


RESULTS
The overall sales of systemic anti-infective agents was 43.5 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day. The parenteral form of drug accounted for 4.20% and broad-spectrum systemic antibacterial agents accounted for 86.2%. The three most commonly used agents, accounting for 74.1% of total sales, were amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, and ampicillin. Seven kinds of anti-infective agents (17% of total available agents) accounted for 90% of antibacterial use, with dominance of broad-spectrum agents. Comparison showed differences in pattern and intensity of use. The sales of systemic anti-infective agents in general, particularly antibacterials and anti-tuberclotics, were greater in Iran than in three European countries. Broad-spectrum antibacterial agents accounted for a larger proportion of total sales in Iran.


CONCLUSIONS
The high use of systemic antibacterial agents in general, particularly broad-spectrum agents, suggest the possibility of irrational prescribing, higher prescribed daily doses than DDDs, and a drug wastage. This survey, as a first attempt, provided an overview of anti-infective use in Iran. Thus, it may serve as a basis for further investigative studies and advanced drug policies.
Ansari
F
F
Food and Drug Affaires of the Ministry of Health-Care and Medical Education, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. faran_ansari@yahoo.com
D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000667:Ampicillin; D000658:Amoxicillin; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination