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Variation of antibiotic consumption and its correlated factors in Turkey

  • Pharmacoepidemiology and Prescription
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Presentation of antibiotic utilization data by reliable and comparable analyses constitutes an important way of ensuring rational use of antibiotics. This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic consumption (AC) of Turkey by each city/region and to investigate any association of such consumption with socio-economic factors.

Method

For 81 provinces and 12 regions in Turkey, AC data from IMS (Intercontinental Medical Statistics) in 2011 was analyzed in accordance with “ATC/DDD, DID” (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Doses, DID = DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) methodology supported by World Health Organization. Association between provincial AC rates and socio-economic development index (SEDI)-2011 and between regional AC rates and some health indicators were analyzed.

Results

While provincial AC data of Turkey was detected to vary between 17.2 and 55.2 DID (Hakkari and Usak, respectively), regional AC ranged from 28.4 to 48.9 DID (Middle Eastern Anatolia and Western Anatolia, respectively). Mostly consumed antibiotic group among all regions were beta-lactamase inhibitor/penicillin combinations (range: 9.9–17.6 DID). SEDI and AC of each city showed positive correlation (rho = 0.683, p < 0.001). While regional AC was positively associated with percentage of 14-year-old population (p = 0.002) and pharmacist density (p < 0.001), it was negatively associated with physician density (p = 0.038).

Conclusion

It is remarkable that Turkey, at both provincial and regional levels, exhibits important variations in AC, which is proportional to socio-economic status. Besides, the consumption is found to be closely associated with recognized critical factors of access to healthcare. These findings are expected to provide important insights to the activities promoting rational use of antibiotics.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. H. Goossens, Dr. A. Versporten, and M.Sc. Pharm. H.B. Pedersen for their assistance in validation of antibiotic consumption and Dr. H. Gursoz and respective staff/consultants of Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency for their assistance in data collection and calculation of antibiotic consumption.

Authors’ contributions

Ahmet Akici (AhA) and AS planned and designed the study. AhA, VA, and AS performed all data analysis. AS, BM, and MA calculated data for antibiotic consumption. AS, AhA, VA, BM, MA, and Ali Alkan (AlA) were involved in the interpretation of the data. AS, AhA, and VA prepared the manuscript. All authors reviewed the manuscript and approved for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 125. Yil Yahyalar Family Health Center, Turkish Public Health Institution, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayfer Sahin

  2. Department of Medical Pharmacology, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ahmet Akici & Volkan Aydin

  3. Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey

    Bahar Melik, Mesil Aksoy & Ali Alkan

Authors
  1. Ayfer Sahin
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  2. Ahmet Akici
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  3. Volkan Aydin
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  4. Bahar Melik
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  6. Ali Alkan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmet Akici.

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Authors’ information

AS, MD is a family physician in 125. Yil Yahyalar Family Health Center, Ankara, Turkey. AhA, MD is a Professor in Medical Pharmacology Department of Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey and still a member of “Board of Rational Use of Medicines of Turkish Ministry of Health” since its establishment. VA, MD is a doctorate student in Medical Pharmacology Department of Health Sciences Institute of Marmara University. BM, Pharm. works at Monitoring and Assessment Unit of the Department of Rational Use of Medicines in Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency. MS, Pharm. is the Head of Department of Rational Use of Medicines in Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency. AlA, MD is the Vice President of the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency in charge of Drug and Pharmacy.

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Sahin, A., Akici, A., Aydin, V. et al. Variation of antibiotic consumption and its correlated factors in Turkey. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 73, 867–873 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-017-2229-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-017-2229-z

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