Medication usage in Majuro, Marshall Islands.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a drug utilisation study to determine the top 50 drugs by prescription count, top 50 drugs by cost to government and the top 30 drugs by consumption for Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands for the year 2003.


METHODS
Data was collected from the Majuro Hospital computer dispensing system. All outpatient prescriptions dispensed in the year 2003 were included. The defined daily dose (DDD) methodology was employed. Drug consumption was presented as DDD/1000 population/day.


RESULTS
The top 5 drugs by consumption in Majuro for 2003 were glibenclamide (glyburide), enalapril, ferrous sulphate, amoxycillin and ascorbic acid. Values for the DDD/1000 population/day were on average lower than many other countries.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first local study of medication usage in the Marshall Islands. It provided some useful baseline data.
Harding
Andrew
A
Majuro Hospital, C/o 34 Fairway Road, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia 3108. anka@ozemail.com.au
D003625:Data Collection; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital; D008849:Micronesia; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations