title: [Long-term prescription of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of persons with a dependence on prescription drugs such as sedatives or tranquilizers in Germany is estimated at between 1.4 and 1.9 million. According to national addiction treatment documentations only very few of them seek help in specialised treatment services. The majority of prescription drug-dependent people use benzodiazepines. This medication is usually prescribed by physicians and according to German guidelines it should be prescribed only for limited, short periods and in low doses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to determine the extent of the problematic prescription of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used prescription data from the Northern Germany Computing Centre for Pharmacies registered between 2005 and 2007. For the German regions of Hamburg, Bremen and Schleswig-Holstein, benzodiazepine prescriptions during an individual prospective period of 12 months were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From July 2005 to June 2006, 294 143 prescriptions of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines were recorded for 78 456 citizens of Hamburg and billed at the expenses of the governmental health insurance funds. In the course of one observed patient year, 51.1% of benzodiazepine prescriptions were in accordance with the German guidelines. 15.6% of the patients were supplied on a long-term basis (0.5-1 DDD during at least 2 months). Prescriptions for women and persons older than 70 years were disproportionately high. Compared with the Federal states of Bremen and Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg does not show an exceptional position.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prescription of benzodiazepines which is not in accordance with the relevant national guidelines is widespread and calls for discussion and education among physicians and pharmacists. Furthermore, professional addiction services should reconsider ways to help and attract prescription drug-dependent people to cover their needs, as their numbers will grow in an aging society.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Suchtforschung der Universität Hamburg, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg. u.verthein@uke.uni-hamburg.de
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Verthein
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raschke
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Holzbach
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014149:Tranquilizing Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines