engleski

Utilization of Antiepileptic Drugs: A Comparison between Croatia and Slovenia

Aim: The aim of this work was to establish and present differences in the utilization of the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), comparing Croatia and Slovenia. Materials and Methods: The information data on AEDs utilization for the period 2000-2004 for Croatia and Slovenia were obtained from the National Health Insurance Companies. The data for 2005 for Croatia was also presented. According to WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, the drug utilization data are presented in defined daily doses/1000 inhabitants/day (DDD/1000). Results: The average total utilization of AEDs were in Croatia 4.59 and in Slovenia 4.97 with continuously increasing trend. The utilization of new AEDs was lower in Croatia than in Slovenia (0.35 vs. 0.73), with the only exception of topiramate in 2004 (0.27 vs. 0.23). The increase in the utilization of the new AEDs was noticed in both countries. Barbiturates (phenobarbitone, PB) and traditional AEDs (CBZ, PHT, VPA) were used almost two times more in Croatia (1.66 vs. 0.87). Conclusions: There is over-utilization of PB in Croatia and the educational efforts and therapeutic rationalization should be implemented in Croatia in the following years in order to decrease PB usage. Better socioeconomic conditions and the earlier release of new AEDs on the Slovenian drug market may have influence on the differences in drug utilization patterns between these two countries. The general increase in the utilization of new AEDs in both countries is in accordance with global trends of AEDs utilization and therapeutic guidelines.

antiepileptic drugs; drug utilization

nije evidentirano