Abstract The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of and characterize the use of psychoactive drugs among drug users in a Brazilian municipality, relating the findings to factors associated with the consumption of these substances. Through a cross-sectional design, 1,355 drug users from the public health systems community pharmacies were interviewed. Sociodemographic and health-related data were collected, as well as any other prescribed drugs. The prevalence of psychoactive drug use within the last month was 31.0%, with antidepressants and benzodiazepines being the most prescribed (53.5% and 24.6% respectively). Most psychoactive drug users were female (81.9%), lived with a partner (52.6%), had private health insurance (69.2%) and a monthly per-capita income up to one minimum wage (54.0%). The adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) confirmed the following factors to be positively associated with the use of psychoactive drugs: female gender (OR=2.06; 95% CI 1.44; 2.95), age ≥60 years old (OR=1.77; 95% CI 1.26; 2.48), follow-up with a psychologist (OR=4.12; 95% CI 1.84; 5.25), absence of regular physical activity (OR=1.59; 95% CI 1.13; 2.23), and smokers (OR=1.94; 95% CI 1.26; 2.97). Approximately one out of three individuals used at least one psychoactive drug. Health managers should focus the planning and actions aimed at their rational use for these groups, leading to increased overall treatment success.

O consumo de psicofármacos é considerado um problema de saúde pública devido ao potencial de dependência e ocorrência de eventos adversos. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar o consumo de psicofármacos dispensados em unidades básicas de saúde de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Conduziu-se um estudo ecológico, com consulta à base de dados Hygia de 2008 a 2012. Foram extraídas as variáveis: psicofármaco dispensado, quantidade dispensada no ano, sexo e faixa etária dos pacientes. Para cada psicofármaco foi calculada a dose diária definida por 1.000 habitantes/dia (DDD/1.000PD), a dose diária definida por 1.000 habitantes/dia considerando-se 75% da população (DDD75%/1.000PD) que retiraram medicamento pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e a dose diária prescrita (DDP). Comparou-se a taxa de crescimento populacional com a de crescimento do consumo dos medicamentos. Foram identificados 1.577.241 pacientes que retiraram medicamentos no período avaliado, dos quais 287.373 (18,2%) utilizaram pelo menos um sujeito a controle especial. Houve aumento do consumo total dos psicofármacos (DDD/1.000PD), porém, após a comparação com a taxa de crescimento populacional, apenas a da sertralina (p = 0,021), risperidona (p = 0,034) e do clonazepam (p = 0,043) foram superiores. As DDP de sete fármacos estavam maiores que a DDD da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). As discrepâncias entre DDD e DDP podem ser úteis como estratégia para triar pacientes elegíveis ao cuidado farmacêutico, pois podem contribuir na prevenção de morbimortalidade relacionada ao uso de medicamentos.

The consumption of psychotropic drugs is considered a public health problem, due to the potential for addiction and the occurrence of adverse events. In this context, the current study aimed to characterize the consumption of psychotropic medications dispensed in primary healthcare units in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil. This ecological study consulted the Hygia database from 2008 to 2012. The following variables were extracted: psychotropic drugs dispensed, amount dispensed per year, and patients’ sex and age bracket. For each psychotropic drug, we calculated the defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants/day (DDD/1,000PD), defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants/day considering 75% of the population (DDD75%/1,000PD) who withdrew medicines through the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), and the prescribed daily dose (PDD). The study compared the population growth rate to the growth in the medicines’ consumption. A total of 1,577,241 patients were identified who withdrew medications during the study period, of whom 287,373 (18.2%) used at least one drug subject to special control. There was an increase in the total consumption of psychotropic drugs (DDD/1,000PD), but comparison to the population growth rate showed that only sertraline (p = 0.021), risperidone (p = 0.034), and clonazepam (p = 0.043) presented higher growth rates. The PDD for seven drugs were higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) DDD. Identifying discrepancies between DDD and PDD can be useful as a strategy for screening patients eligible for pharmaceutical care, since they can contribute to the prevention of morbidity and mortality related to medications.

El consumo de psicofármacos está considerado un problema de salud pública, debido al potencial de dependencia y ocurrencia de eventos adversos. En este contexto, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar el consumo de psicofármacos dispensados en unidades básicas de salud de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Se realizó un estudio ecológico, con consulta a la base de datos Hygia de 2008 a 2012. Se extrajeron las variables: psicofármaco dispensado, cantidad dispensada al año, sexo y franja de edad de los pacientes. Para cada psicofármaco se calculó la dosis diaria definida por 1.000 habitantes/día (DDD/1.000PD), la dosis diaria definida por 1.000 habitantes/día, considerándose un 75% de la población (DDD75%/1.000PD) que consiguieron el medicamento por el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) y la dosis diaria prescrita (DDP). Se comparó la tasa de crecimiento poblacional con la de crecimiento por consumo de medicamentos. Se identificaron a 1.577.241 pacientes que obtuvieron medicamentos durante el período evaluado, entre los cuales 287.373 (18,2%) utilizaron por lo menos uno sujeto a un control especial. Hubo un aumento en el consumo total de los psicofármacos (DDD/1000PD), no obstante, tras la comparación con la tasa de crecimiento poblacional, solamente la de consumo de sertralina (p = 0,021), risperidona (p = 0,034) y del clonazepam (p = 0,043) fueron superiores. Las DDP de siete fármacos eran mayores a la DDD de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Las discrepancias entre DDD y DDP pueden ser útiles como estrategia para triar pacientes elegibles para el cuidado farmacéutico, puesto que pueden contribuir a la prevención de morbimortalidad relacionada con el uso de medicamentos.

O consumo de psicofármacos é considerado um problema de saúde pública devido ao potencial de dependência e ocorrência de eventos adversos. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar o consumo de psicofármacos dispensados em unidades básicas de saúde de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Conduziu-se um estudo ecológico, com consulta à base de dados Hygia de 2008 a 2012. Foram extraídas as variáveis: psicofármaco dispensado, quantidade dispensada no ano, sexo e faixa etária dos pacientes. Para cada psicofármaco foi calculada a dose diária definida por 1.000 habitantes/dia (DDD/1.000PD), a dose diária definida por 1.000 habitantes/dia considerando-se 75% da população (DDD75%/1.000PD) que retiraram medicamento pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e a dose diária prescrita (DDP). Comparou-se a taxa de crescimento populacional com a de crescimento do consumo dos medicamentos. Foram identificados 1.577.241 pacientes que retiraram medicamentos no período avaliado, dos quais 287.373 (18,2%) utilizaram pelo menos um sujeito a controle especial. Houve aumento do consumo total dos psicofármacos (DDD/1.000PD), porém, após a comparação com a taxa de crescimento populacional, apenas a da sertralina (p = 0,021), risperidona (p = 0,034) e do clonazepam (p = 0,043) foram superiores. As DDP de sete fármacos estavam maiores que a DDD da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). As discrepâncias entre DDD e DDP podem ser úteis como estratégia para triar pacientes elegíveis ao cuidado farmacêutico, pois podem contribuir na prevenção de morbimortalidade relacionada ao uso de medicamentos.

The consumption of psychotropic drugs is considered a public health problem, due to the potential for addiction and the occurrence of adverse events. In this context, the current study aimed to characterize the consumption of psychotropic medications dispensed in primary healthcare units in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil. This ecological study consulted the Hygia database from 2008 to 2012. The following variables were extracted: psychotropic drugs dispensed, amount dispensed per year, and patients’ sex and age bracket. For each psychotropic drug, we calculated the defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants/day (DDD/1,000PD), defined daily dose per 1,000 inhabitants/day considering 75% of the population (DDD75%/1,000PD) who withdrew medicines through the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), and the prescribed daily dose (PDD). The study compared the population growth rate to the growth in the medicines’ consumption. A total of 1,577,241 patients were identified who withdrew medications during the study period, of whom 287,373 (18.2%) used at least one drug subject to special control. There was an increase in the total consumption of psychotropic drugs (DDD/1,000PD), but comparison to the population growth rate showed that only sertraline (p = 0.021), risperidone (p = 0.034), and clonazepam (p = 0.043) presented higher growth rates. The PDD for seven drugs were higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) DDD. Identifying discrepancies between DDD and PDD can be useful as a strategy for screening patients eligible for pharmaceutical care, since they can contribute to the prevention of morbidity and mortality related to medications.

El consumo de psicofármacos está considerado un problema de salud pública, debido al potencial de dependencia y ocurrencia de eventos adversos. En este contexto, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar el consumo de psicofármacos dispensados en unidades básicas de salud de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Se realizó un estudio ecológico, con consulta a la base de datos Hygia de 2008 a 2012. Se extrajeron las variables: psicofármaco dispensado, cantidad dispensada al año, sexo y franja de edad de los pacientes. Para cada psicofármaco se calculó la dosis diaria definida por 1.000 habitantes/día (DDD/1.000PD), la dosis diaria definida por 1.000 habitantes/día, considerándose un 75% de la población (DDD75%/1.000PD) que consiguieron el medicamento por el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) y la dosis diaria prescrita (DDP). Se comparó la tasa de crecimiento poblacional con la de crecimiento por consumo de medicamentos. Se identificaron a 1.577.241 pacientes que obtuvieron medicamentos durante el período evaluado, entre los cuales 287.373 (18,2%) utilizaron por lo menos uno sujeto a un control especial. Hubo un aumento en el consumo total de los psicofármacos (DDD/1000PD), no obstante, tras la comparación con la tasa de crecimiento poblacional, solamente la de consumo de sertralina (p = 0,021), risperidona (p = 0,034) y del clonazepam (p = 0,043) fueron superiores. Las DDP de siete fármacos eran mayores a la DDD de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Las discrepancias entre DDD y DDP pueden ser útiles como estrategia para triar pacientes elegibles para el cuidado farmacéutico, puesto que pueden contribuir a la prevención de morbimortalidad relacionada con el uso de medicamentos.

Background There is a worrisome increase in opioid prescription worldwide. Their use and overuse may cause adverse outcomes. Aim To determine incidence and characteristics of opioid prescription at discharge at an emergency department (ED). Material and Methods A prospective observational study in a random sample of adult patients attended at an ED of a teaching hospital. We reviewed medical records prescriptions for each patient to collect information about drugs prescribed, reason and medical indication of use (doses and duration). Results A total of 1,001 patients aged 50 ± 20 years (61% women) were studied. Seven percent of patients received an opioid prescription at discharge from the ED, mainly to treat renal and back pain. The dose, duration of treatments or both were incompletely described in 54% of prescriptions. The dose of tramadol in drops was incomplete in 96% of prescriptions. Conclusions Seven percent of patients discharged from an ED received an opioid prescription, mainly to treat non-oncological acute pain. The lack of information detected in the prescriptions affected quality, safety and effectiveness of the treatment, especially when pharmaceutical formulations were drops.

Background: Patients admitted to internal medicine services receive multiple drugs and thus are at risk of medication errors. Aim: To determine the frequency of medication errors (ME) among patients admitted to an internal medicine service of a high complexity hospital. Material and Methods: A prospective observational study conducted in 225 patients admitted to an internal medicine service. Each stage of drug utilization system (prescription, transcription, dispensing, preparation and administration) was directly observed by trained pharmacists not related to hospital staff during three months. ME were described and categorized according to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. In each stage of medication use, the frequency of ME and their characteristics were determined. Results: A total of 454 drugs were prescribed to the studied patients. In 138 (30,4%) indications, at least one ME occurred, involving 67 (29,8%) patients. Twenty four percent of detected ME occurred during administration, mainly due to wrong time schedules. Anticoagulants were the therapeutic group with the highest occurrence of ME. Conclusions: At least one ME occurred in approximately one third of patients studied, especially during the administration stage. These errors could affect the medication safety and avoid achieving therapeutic goals. Strategies to improve the quality and safe use of medications can be implemented using this information.

Background: Critically ill patients are especially vulnerable to medication errors (ME) due to their severe clinical situation and the complexities of their management. Aim: To determine the frequency and characteristics of ME and identify shortcomings in the processes of medication management in an Intensive Care Unit. Patients and Methods: During a 3 months period, an observational prospective and randomized study was carried out in the ICU of a university hospital. Every step of patient's medication management (prescription, transcription, dispensation, preparation and administration) was evaluated by an external trained professional. Steps with higher frequency of ME and their therapeutic groups involved were identified. Medications errors were classified according to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention. Results: In 52 of 124 patients evaluated, 66 ME were found in 194 drugs prescribed. In 34% of prescribed drugs, there was at least 1 ME during its use. Half of ME occurred during medication administration, mainly due to problems in infusion rates and schedule times. Antibacterial drugs had the highest rate of ME. Conclusions: We found a 34% rate of ME per drug prescribed, which is in concordance with international reports. The identification of those steps more prone to ME in the ICU, will allow the implementation of an intervention program to improve the quality and security of medication management.

Background: Data from the Ministry ofHealth show that in Chile in 2004, 17% of the population had some form of depression and mood disorders are the tenth cause of disability-adjusted Ufe years (DALY) loss. Aim: To determine consumption of antidepressants (ADs) in Chile from 1992 to 2004. Material and methods: National sales data were obtained from the company IMS Health Chile and converted into defined daily doses (DDDs) per 1,000 inhabitants per day Available ADs were classified in four pharmacological groups (Le., serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, SNRLs; selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRLs; tñcyclic antidepressants, TCAs; and others). Total economic burden of ADs utilization and cost per DDDs were also calculated. Trends over time were analyzed using Pearson-R2. Results: Total ADs consumption in Chile measured by DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DHD) increased linearly (y =0.901x+1.9129; R2 =0.9296; p <0.001) from 2.5 in 1992 to 11.7 in 2004 (total growth of 470.2%). SSRLs were the drug class with higher consumption, and ñuoxetine the most commonly consumed antidepressant. SSRLs were the drugs that dominated the market representing 79% of the total drug consumption throughout the years. Total economic burden of ADs in Chile (total cost ofDDDs consumed) increased from US$65.4 million in 2001 to US$74.6 million in 2004 (14% increase). Average cost per DDD of all AD increased linearly, however not significantly from US$ 0.94 in 2001 to US$ 1.04 in 2004 (y =0.0362x+0.8784; R2 =0.7382; p =0,262). Conclusions: DDDs per 1,000 inhabitants per day increased linearly over 470% from 1992-2004. SSRLs were the most commonly consumed drugs in Chile. Future research should evalúate the cost-effectiveness of antidepressants in Chile, comparing the results with drug utilization, and determining if unnecessary expenditures have been paid out.