Analysis of prescription and dispensation of psychotropic medications in two cities in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prescription and dispensation of psychotropic medications through the analysis of the prescriptions/notices kept at various institutions in two cities in the state of São Paulo. METHODS: The prescriptions kept at drugstores, magistral pharmacies, primary care settings and hospitals were collected and analyzed in collaboration with the Sanitary Vigilance agencies in the year of 1999. The information in the prescriptions/notices were typed and tabulated. RESULTS: A total of 108,215 prescriptions were processed, being 76,954 for benzodiazepines, 26,930 for anorexigenic drugs, 3,540 for opiates and 788 for other drugs. The benzodiazepines most frequently prescribed were: diazepam (31,644), bromazepam (16,911) and clonazepam (7,929). Among the anorexigenic drugs, diethylpropion (14,800) and femproporex (10,942) were the most common. When compared to men, women were given more prescriptions, mainly for anorexigenic drugs: the ratio was 10:1 in the prescriptions for diethylpropion and femproporex. The few magistral pharmacies (n=6) handled even more prescriptions than did the drugstores (n=49). A number of errors and inconsistencies were detected in the prescriptions analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the occurrence of an irrational use of such medications and a series of inadequate practices related to their prescription in Brazil. Therefore, they point out to the need of a comprehensive review of the government's control system of these substances.

Saúde mental e enfermagem na estratégia saúde da família: como estão atuando os enfermeiros?

“…A total of 108,215 prescriptions were processed and 76,954 were of benzodiazepine drugs. Another relevant fact is the destination of these prescriptions: women received more prescriptions than men (12) . Another study addressing the use of psychotropic drugs and carried out in a Family Health unit in the northern region of Natal found that 50 out of 59 participants used psychotropic drugs, of which 31 were women and 19 were men.…”

Prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics associated with benzodiazepines use among community dwelling older adults: the Bambuí Health and Aging Study (BHAS)

“…[12][13][14][15] Populationbased studies on the consumption of these medications have been accomplished on younger individuals, 16,17 and the benzodiazepine consumption was investigated in a much wider context, which was the use of psychopharmacs. [18][19][20] The population-based studies showed benzodiazepines as the most commonly used psychopharmacs in the adult population, [17][18][19][20] and among these, Diazepam was the most used chemical substance. 16,18,19 In these studies, the consumption of benzodiazepines was higher among women, 16,17 among older subjects and among the wealthy.…”

“…[18][19][20] The population-based studies showed benzodiazepines as the most commonly used psychopharmacs in the adult population, [17][18][19][20] and among these, Diazepam was the most used chemical substance. 16,18,19 In these studies, the consumption of benzodiazepines was higher among women, 16,17 among older subjects and among the wealthy. 17 To our knowledge, there are no Brazilian studies on the profile of use of benzodiazepines among community-dwelling older adults.…”

Avaliação de prescrições medicamentosas de um hospital universitário brasileiro

“…Eis algumas delas: sistema gerencial e de garantia de qualidade 42 ; nomenclatura do medicamento 43 ; caligrafia médica 44 ; distração momentânea; estresse profissional 45 ; sistemas de prescrição, transcrição, dispensação e administração de medicamentos; falta de conhecimento ou treinamento inadequado 46 ; fontes inadequadas de informação sobre medicamentos 47 ; erros humanos 5 .…”