Drug utilization patterns in Zabljak municipality, Serbia and Montenegro

Background: Information about drug utilization among the out patients in Serbia & Montenegro is scanty, and there are no available publications on the topic. Objective: To evaluate and compare patterns of drug utilization in the Zabljak municipality. Methods: Prescriptions for outpatients (n=456) and dispensing records from local pharmacy in Zabljak were reviewed retrospectively over three-months period. Results: The leading diagnoses were infectious diseases of the respiratory system and hypertension. The average number of Defined Daily Doses per 1000 inhabitants per day was 175.05. Cardiovascular drugs (42.8 DDD/1000/day), drugs for gastrointestinal system (39 DDD/1000/day) and antibacterial drugs (19.05 DDD/1000/day) were the most frequently prescribed drugs. Conclusion: The total number of drugs utilized per 1000 inhabitants per day was within the acceptable range. However, the pattern of diagnoses did not correspond to the pattern of drug utilization. Much remains to be done to promote rational selection and use of drugs in outpatients in Serbia and Montenegro. South African Family Practice Vol. 49 (1) 2007: pp. 1