title: Sources of European drug consumption data at a country level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at outlining the characteristics of nationwide administrative databases monitoring drug consumption in Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  Internet and bibliographic databases (April 2010) were searched and experts in drug utilization (DU) research interviewed to find nationwide administrative medicines consumption databases in Europe, with data for the out- and inpatient healthcare sector. A questionnaire was developed to gather additional information. We collected data providers, websites, accessibility, data sources, healthcare settings, population coverage, medicines-related data, patient and prescriber data, periods covered, and linkage to other databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one administrative nationwide medicine consumption databases in 25 countries were identified. Questionnaires were responded for 20 databases. Eleven provided wholesalers' sales data, 11 on reimbursed, 5 on prescribed, and 4 on dispensing medicines. Fifteen databases provided inpatient drug consumption data, mainly wholesalers' sales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nationwide administrative databases are of value to all stakeholders involved in the conduct and interpretation of post-marketing safety studies, and in the conduct of DU research. The endorsement of the anatomical therapeutic chemical/defined daily dose methodology by these databases contributes to data harmonization. However, there is still a lack of information on inpatient medicines consumption at a patient-level.
authors.affiliation: Fundació Institut Català de Farmacologia, Pg. Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Pili
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ballarín
authors.forename: Mònica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabaté
authors.forename: Joan-Ramon
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Laporte
authors.forename: Marieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schoonen
authors.forename: Marietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rottenkolber
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fortuny
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hasford
authors.forename: Iain
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tatt
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ibáñez
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D017891:Pharmacoepidemiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires