title: Outpatient utilization of psychopharmaceuticals: comparison between the cities of Zagreb and Sarajevo (2006-2009).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the real outpatient utilization of psychiatric drugs in Zagreb (Croatia) and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and to compare the outpatient utilization of psychiatric drugs between this two cities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on the outpatient utilization of psycholpetics and psychoanaleptics (N05 and N06) in both cities were received from pharmacies and collected during 2006-2009. Based on the data obtained, a number of DDD and DDD per 1000 inhabitants perday (DDD/1000/day) has been calculated. The data in Zagreb were received from all pharmacies in Zagreb, whereas only 50% of pharmacies in Sarajevo participated, thus an extrapolation of data for Sarajevo was required and accomplished. All drugs were classified according to the ATC system. Based on the data obtained, a number of DDD and DDD/1000/day was calculated for all N05 and N06 drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall utilization trend was similar between the cities Sarajevo and Zagreb and followed trends in other neighbouring countries. Total consumption of psycholeptics and psychoanaleptics in Sarajevo was 22.6% (on average) lower than in Zagreb, during the 4-year period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the 2006-2009 period the total consumption of psychopharmaceuticals showed increasing trend with peak in 2008 with similar trend between Zagreb and Sarajevo. It is necessary to implement systematic approach to drug utilization monitoring in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina in general in order to improve prescribing quality as it is done in Croatia.
authors.affiliation: Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, Bosnia and Herzegovina. tarikcatic@bih.net.ba
authors.forename: Tarik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Catić
authors.forename: Danijela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stimac
authors.forename: Krešimir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zivković
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zelić
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D017523:Croatia; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents