Evaluation of Medicine and Food Supplements used to Treat and Prevent the Disorder of Lipid Metabolism in the Lithuanian Pharmacies

Objective of the work: to determine the usage tendencies of the medicinal products and food supplements recommended for prevention and treatment of the disorder of lipid metabolism to the patients coming to the pharmacies. Tasks: 1) to analyze the usage of the products of statin group in Lithuania in 2005-2012 using the international, WHO approved methodology of the medicine usage ATC/DDD, and to compare the results with other EU States, 2) to assess the indexes of lipidogram and their dynamics of the patients coming to the pharmacies, who use antilipidemic medicine and food supplements, 3) to assess the conformity of the medicinal products and food supplements recommended for prevention and treatment of the disorder of lipid metabolism to the international guidelines (NCEP ATP III). Methodology: the usage of the medicine that belongs to the sub-groups of C10AA (HMG CoA reductase inhibitors) and C10BX (Other combinations) was analyzed by the ATC/DDD methodology expressing the data as DDD/1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000 inhabitants/d). The indexes of lipidogram and the medicine/food supplements used by the patients coming to the pharmacies were assessed using the survey by questionnaires. The statistical analysis of the collected data was done using the SPSS program package, version 17.0. Results: the usage of statins in Lithuania increased from 3,873 DDD/1000 inhabitants/d in 2005 until 12,787 DDD/1000 inhabitants/d in 2012, while the expenses for statins increased from 6,19 mln. Lt in 2005 to 9,12 mln. Lt in 2012. 358 patients, who bought medicine and/or food supplements to treat the disorder of lipid metabolism in the pharmacies, took part in the survey by questionnaires. The used medicine and/or food supplements decreased the amount of total cholesterol (TC) from 8,36±1,35 mmol/l to 5,10±0,99 mmol/l, (p=0,01), but only 38 (10,6 per cent) patients achieved the recommended TC value < 4,5 mmol/l. The TC amount was reduced significantly because of long-term and regular usage of statins rs=0,423; (p=0,08) and selection of the right dosage rs=0,380; (p=0,19). It was determined that the part of the patients, who did not achieve the recommended TC value, were using medicine for short period and irregularly rs= - 0,265; (p<0,01); besides, they were using food supplements for treatment – rs= - 0,386; (p