[Prescription-only drugs in Banja Luka region: utilization analysis].
BACKGROUND
Using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology, we analyzed utilization of prescription-only drugs in Banja Luka region in 2000-2001.


METHODS
A retrospective study on drug utilization, according to ATC classification, was conducted on the basis of data received from Central City Pharmacy Banja Luka, and results were presented in terms of DDD/1000 inhabitants/day.


RESULTS
Pharmaco-epidemiological analysis showed that the list of 20 most frequently prescribed drugs in 2000 included 8 cardiovascular drugs and 6 anti-infective drugs. In 2001, 20 most frequently prescribed drugs, included 9 cardiovascular drugs, and 4 anti-infective drugs. Regarding anti-infective agents, the most frequently prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin, doxycyline, co-trimoxazole and gentamicin. The most frequently prescribed drug in 2000 was diazepam (5.33 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day). The use of this drug significantly increased in 2001 (7.95 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on total analysis, it can be concluded that the positive drug list, defined by the Health Insurance Fund, significantly affected the drug utilization profile, but some drugs are considered to be irrationally prescribed.
Natasa
N
Stojaković
Ranko
R
Skrbić
Svjetlana
S
Stoisavljević-Satara
Dragana
D
Babić-Durić
Lana
L
Nezić
Ana
A
Sabo
D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015022:Yugoslavia