title: [Outpatient use of topical antimicrobials in Spain associated with other drugs (2005-2007)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The consumption of antibiotics for systemic use has been well studied. However, data of topical use in our country are an anecdotal reference in the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outpatient use of topical antimicrobials in Spain associated with other drugs during the period December 2005 and November 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive quantitative study was conducted between December 1, 2005 to November 30, 2007. The sample amounted to a total of 112 drugs, representing 131 dosage forms. The data on consumption of drugs were sold by the company Intercontinental Marketing Services (IMS), while demographic data were obtained from the municipal census of 2006 and 2007. The study variables were grouped into three categories: those relating to consumption, those on medications and other variables such as geographic location and time period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period the outpatient consumption of topical antimicrobials in Spain was 41.755.951 vials (130.637.368 euros) whose composition included associations between antimicrobials or antimicrobials with other drugs. The average monthly consumption amounted to 1.739.831 vials and 5.443.223 euros. The dermal route of administration was the most dispensed and according to the Anatomical, Therapeutic, Chemical classification system (ATC) and the D07CC subgroup was the most used. The association between tobramycin and dexamethasone ophthalmic suspension as 30% was the drug most used in Spain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The consumption of topical antimicrobials in Spain during the period 2006-2007 increased by 2.36% in the number of vials and 7.28% in economic cost. These antimicrobials were more used in summer. The average cost of a topical antimicrobial was half (3.13 euros) compared to the average cost of a drug (7.89 euros).
authors.affiliation: E. U. Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Facultad de Medicina, Pabellón 2º, 3ª Planta, Ciudad Universitaria 28040 Madrid, Spain. pmori@enf.ucm.es
authors.forename: Pilar Mori
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Vara
authors.forename: David Martínez
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Juan Vicente Beneit
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Montesinos
authors.forename: Enrique Pacheco del
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Cerro
authors.forename: José González
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Núñez
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000191:economics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010045:Outpatients; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D003907:Dexamethasone; D014031:Tobramycin