La prescrizione di antibiotici in regione Campania negli anni 2002-2011

Background For several years Campania region has been showing the highest number of prescribed DDD and the highest expenditure of all the Italian regions. This study aims to analyze the utilization of antibiotic drugs in the Campania region, focusing on intra-regional variability. Methods We collected from an administrative database all prescriptions for antibiotic drugs for the years 2002-2011, classified according to their therapeutic role using Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. Drugs consumption were quantified using Defined Daily Dose (DDD) system and trends have been calculated using Compound Average Grow Rate (CAGR). The drug expenditure was expressed in euro. Results In 2011 antimicrobial for systemic use (ATC: J01) was the third therapeutic group in terms of drug expenditure in Campania region (9,5% of total drug expenditure). The consumption was 28.4 DDD/1000 inhabitants/die. Therapeutic group consumption trends showed a reduction in cephalosporins and macrolides (CAGR 11/02 -4.1%, -1.0% respectively) as well as an increased consumption of quinolones (CAGR 11/02 2.0%). Penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems and monobactams were the most prescribed antibiotic classes in all age groups. Conclusions The present work shows a reduction in the consumption and expenditure for antibiotic drugs in Campania region, although above the national average yet. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of appropriateness policies recently established by regional authorities.