Comparison of NSAID consumption in Slovakia, Finland and Norway.

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) belong to most frequently used drugs worldwide. NSAIDs belong to the family of drugs that represent the biggest drug risk as to the number of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), as well as to the number of deregistered drugs. METHODS: We analysed the whole consumption of NSAIDs from ATC class M01 in Slovakia during 1996-2007. RESULTS: Most frequently used NSAIDs in Slovakia were ibuprofen and diclofenac. There was a marked increasing trend in piroxicam, meloxicam, ibuprofen and especially nimesulide medicines. CONCLUSION: Prescription habits of doctors in Slovakia reflect the drug risk only partially, nevertheless the total consumption of dangerous medicines is decreasing and substances with safer profile remain being more used. In the prescribing process the patients' risk factors together with the differences in drug characteristics should be considered. Nevertheless some of these drugs are OTC, and their consumption is strongly influenced by pharmacists and advertisement (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 18). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.