Antibiotic usage and costs in the community.
A prospective study was designed in order to determine to what extent antibiotics are used in treating community-acquired infections and their costs. Between February and July 2001 a total of 43,011 prescriptions from a representative sample of pharmacies in the city of Denizli (Turkey) were evaluated during the study period. Antibiotics accounted for 16.4 % of total prescriptions and 30.8% of the market value of drugs. Penicillins (49.7%), followed by cephalosporins (17.3%), macrolides (9.5%), and aminoglycosides (7.6%) were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics during the study period. The economic burden of antibiotic usage in the community is found higher than in developed countries. In order to reduce this cost the proper use of antibiotics is a matter of urgency
Karatas
Halil
H
Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Akdeniz University, Medicine Faculty, Antalya, Turkey.
Yalcin
Ata Nevzat
AN
Turgut
Huseyin
H
Cetin
Banu
B
D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization; D018942:Macrolides / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015363:Quinolones / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014421:Turkey
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D018942:Macrolides; D010406:Penicillins; D015363:Quinolones