European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

, Volume 67, Issue 2, pp 203–207 | Cite as

Consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Serbia: a comparison with Croatia and Denmark during 2005–2008

  • Vesna Mijatović
  • Jelena Ćalasan
  • Olga Horvat
  • Ana Sabo
  • Zdenko Tomić
  • Vukašin Radulović
Short Communication
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the amount and pattern of use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in Serbia and to compare these parameters with those in Croatia and Denmark. The prescribing pattern of NSAIDs in Serbia as a direct indicator of physicians’ knowledge of these agents was also assessed.

Methods

The use of NSAIDs in Serbia, Croatia, and Denmark was analyzed during a 4-year period (2005–2008). Data were retrieved from the annual reports of the Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices of Serbia, Croatia, and Denmark. Data on prescribing behavior were obtained from the Health Insurance Fund of Serbia and represent NSAIDs issued by prescription between 2005 and 2008. Results were expressed as the number of defined daily doses/1000 inhabitants/day. The drug utilization 90% method was also used.

Results

The total consumption of NSAIDs in Serbia was higher than that in Croatia and Denmark. Diclofenac accounted for approximately 50% of NSAID consumption during the observation period, followed (in much smaller quantities) by ibuprofen. The most commonly prescribed medicine was diclofenac, followed, in much smaller amounts, by ibuprofen. There was no trend of a reduced consumption of diclofenac or of an increased use of ibuprofen during the study period

Conclusions

These data suggest that factors other than evidence-based medicine have a dominant effect on the use of NSAIDs in Serbia. Targeted education from independent sources in the prescribing, dispensing, and use of drugs is important to improve the quality of the prescribing behavior and the use of NSAIDs.

Keywords

ATC/DDD Drug utilization Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Prescription 
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Notes

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  • Vesna Mijatović
    • 1
  • Jelena Ćalasan
    • 1
  • Olga Horvat
    • 1
  • Ana Sabo
    • 1
  • Zdenko Tomić
    • 2
  • Vukašin Radulović
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Novi SadNovi SadSerbia
  2. 2.Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of MedicinePodgoricaMontenegro
  3. 3.Republic Institute for Health Insurance of SerbiaBelgradeSerbia

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