title: Trends in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug consumption in children and adolescents in Slovenia from 2001 to 2012: a drug use study from a national perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In most Eastern and Central European countries, except Germany, there is a lack of drug consumption studies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The main purpose of the present study was to present the pattern and the evolution of national ADHD drug consumption in Slovenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The national consumption data for the period 2001-2012 and medication costs were obtained from the database of the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia. A defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day and the total medication cost in euro were extracted. Only immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-MPH), methylphenidate-osmotic release oral delivery system (OROS-MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) have been approved for ADHD in Slovenia and are included in this study. Amphetamines have not been available in Slovenia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ADHD drug consumption increased in Slovenia from 0.0537 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2001 to 0.0687 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2006 and to 0.3076 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2012. The rise was largely because of an increase in OROS-MPH consumption and increase in ATX consumption, whereas the consumption of IR-MPH decreased rapidly. During the study period, the total cost of the medicines increased 31-fold. From 2007 to 2010, the total cost of ADHD medicines increased 14-fold and from 2010 to 2012 the cost increased by 11.4% only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When new drugs are licensed in a jurisdiction, their prescription rates increase rapidly. The changes in the pattern of prescribing medicines are evident in Slovenia, primarily in the increase of OROS-MPH and ATX prescriptions and in the rapid decrease of IR-MPH prescriptions. Results indicate a need for appropriate interventions in Slovenia.
authors: 1 Clinical Pharmacy Department. Ormož Psychiatric Hospital , Slovenia, Ormož, Slovenia .
authors: Matej
authors: M
authors: Štuhec
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Locatelli
authors: Vesna
authors: V
authors: Švab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D017277:Drug Approval; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000639:trends; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D017524:Slovenia
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride