[Adequacy of new systemic antifungal agents prescriptions in a teaching hospital].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy and the conformity of prescriptions of new systemic antifungal drugs to guidelines and scientific data.


METHODS
Each prescription of liposomal amphotericin B (lip Amb), voriconazole, and caspofungin made between May 2003 and May 2004 in a teaching hospital were reviewed by an infectious diseases specialist. He used criteria based on marketing authorization, national recommendations, and scientific data.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifteen files were studied during the 12-month period and 203 prescriptions analyzed. Most patients were immunodepressed. The indication of the treatment was appropriate for 127 prescriptions (62.6%). Dose and drug interactions were compliant with prescription rules for 158 prescriptions (77.8%). Among the causes of misuse, 16.3% concerned combinations of antifungals. Prescriptions of liposomal amphotericin B, voriconazole and caspofungin complied with guidelines respectively in 69.7, 60.6 and 36.8% of the cases. Among the 127 appropriate prescriptions, the use of cheaper molecules with an equivalent clinical effectiveness would have allowed saving 13.6% of the total cost of these prescriptions.


CONCLUSIONS
This study will lead us to implement policies for new antifungal prescription.
Pavese
P
P
Service des maladies infectieuses, hôpital Michallon, CHU de Grenoble, 38043 Grenoble cedex 09, France. ppavese@chu-grenoble.fr
Ouachi
Z
Z
Vittoz
J-P
JP
Lebeau
B
B
Foroni
L
L
Allenet
B
B
Stahl
J-P
JP
François
P
P
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000935:Antifungal Agents