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Trends in antidepressants and anxiolytics drugs usage in Croatia and Slovenia

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze antidepressants and anxiolytics drugs usage (ATC subgroups: N06A and N05B) in two mid European, neighbouring countries, Croatia and Slovenia, for the 9-year period, from 2000 to 2008. Further, the aim was to identify the generic drugs usage in each country, the price for DDD for original and generic drugs, and to identify the most prescribed drugs in each drug group. METHODS: The data concerning consumption have been obtained from the International Medical Statistics database for Croatia and Slovenia. Drugs usage is presented in defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000) according to the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Drugs Statistics Methodology. Financial expenditure data are presented in Euros. An average cost per DDD was calculated for each drug group. RESULTS: In 2008, the total usage of antidepressants was higher in Slovenia (42.7 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) than in Croatia (22 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day), and it increased in both countries during the investigated period. The total usage of anxiolytics is more than 3 times higher in Croatia (67.4 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day) than in Slovenia (22.2 DDD/1000/inhabitants/day). The total usage of anxiolytics decreased in Slovenia in 2008 in comparison with prescriptions in 2000, while it increased in Croatia for 44.3% during the same period. The rate of generic prescriptions among antidepressants during the investigated period was higher in Croatia, i.e. in Croatia 73.6% of all prescribed antidepressants were generics in 2008, while in Slovenia 33.5%. CONCLUSION: Drugs prescription patterns are different comparing Croatia and Slovenia. A possible reason for relatively higher usage of anxiolytics and lower usage of antidepressants in Croatia could be depression treatment with anxiolytics. This indicates the need for a more thorough analysis and the introduction of national drugs guidelines for rational prescribing, monitoring and evaluation especially anxiolytics. Although the generic drugs usage in the mentioned groups is relatively high, it should be further supported and promoted.

antidepressants; anxiolytics; drugs usage; pharmacoeconomics; Croatia; Slovenia

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