Outpatient utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in three largest municipalities in South Backa district]

Introduction Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the treatment of musculoskeletal system diseases (MSD) and are associated with numerous adverse effects. Objective To determine the amount and structure of outpatient consumption of NSAIDs and its correlation with musculoskeletal system diseases in three municipalities in South Backa district with different levels of health care. To examine whether the cost of drugs and the level of health care influence the choice of drugs. Methods Data on the quarterly consumption of NSAIDs have been collected from all pharmacies in Novi Sad, Vrbas and Backa Palanka. Data are presented by the number of defined daily dosage (DDD) pen 000 inhabitants. Cost (in RSD)/DDD was also calculated. The drug utilization 90% (DU90%) methodology was used. Data on the incidence of MSD from the three municipalities were obtained from the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina and were presented as the number of patients/1000 inhabitants. Results The highest total outpatient consumption of NSAIDs was recorded in Backa Palanka, a municipality with the highest prevalence of MSD. The lowest NSAIDs consumption and the lowest number of patients were observed in Vrbas. Diclofenac was NSAID with the highest consummation in all three municipalities, while ibuprofen, meloxicam and nimesulide were dispensed in much smaller amounts. The cheapest NSAIDs were found to be piroxicam and naproxen, diclofenac was the third in terms of price/DDD, while ibuprofen was the sixth. Conclusion In order to improve prescription practice and the profile of drug usage in the population, it is important to educate health care professionals, and to inform general population about the risks of inappropriate drug use.