TY - JOUR
T1 - Benzodiazepine utilisation in Australia
T2 - report from a new pharmacoepidemiological database
AU - Mant, Andrea
AU - Whicker, Susan D.
AU - McManus, Peter
AU - Birkett, Donald J.
AU - Edmonds, David
AU - Dumbrell, David
PY - 1993/12
Y1 - 1993/12
N2 - Abstract: This study surveys the total community prescription use of benzodiazepine agents in Australia for the years 1990 and 1991. Also included is information on the utilisation of these agents on the Pharmaceutical Benefits and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Schemes (PBS/RPBS) over the period 1987 to 1991. The Australian data are from the Drug Utilization Subcommittee (DUSC) database, which is derived from two sources: the PBS/RPBS (subsidised prescriptions), and a national sample of Pharmacy Guild of Australia pharmacies (private and under‐copayment general prescriptions). The data are converted to defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000/day) in accordance with the unit of measurement for drug utilisation studies approved by the World Health Organization. Benzodiazepine utilisation was 33.96 DDD/1000/day for 1990 and 29.31 DDD/1000/day for 1991. The four drugs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, namely diazepam, oxazepam, nitrazepam and temazepam, constituted 82 per cent of the Australian market. The availability of government subsidy appears to influence benzodiazepine‐ prescribing behaviour. Benzodiazepine utilisation has been falling in recent years. The fall may be related to the impact of new guidelines and community awareness campaigns. There are major differences in the composition of the market between Australia and the Nordic countries. 1993 Public Health Association of Australia
AB - Abstract: This study surveys the total community prescription use of benzodiazepine agents in Australia for the years 1990 and 1991. Also included is information on the utilisation of these agents on the Pharmaceutical Benefits and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Schemes (PBS/RPBS) over the period 1987 to 1991. The Australian data are from the Drug Utilization Subcommittee (DUSC) database, which is derived from two sources: the PBS/RPBS (subsidised prescriptions), and a national sample of Pharmacy Guild of Australia pharmacies (private and under‐copayment general prescriptions). The data are converted to defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000/day) in accordance with the unit of measurement for drug utilisation studies approved by the World Health Organization. Benzodiazepine utilisation was 33.96 DDD/1000/day for 1990 and 29.31 DDD/1000/day for 1991. The four drugs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, namely diazepam, oxazepam, nitrazepam and temazepam, constituted 82 per cent of the Australian market. The availability of government subsidy appears to influence benzodiazepine‐ prescribing behaviour. Benzodiazepine utilisation has been falling in recent years. The fall may be related to the impact of new guidelines and community awareness campaigns. There are major differences in the composition of the market between Australia and the Nordic countries. 1993 Public Health Association of Australia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0027818301&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1993.tb00167.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1993.tb00167.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 7911332
AN - SCOPUS:0027818301
SN - 1035-7319
VL - 17
SP - 345
EP - 349
JO - Australian Journal of Public Health
JF - Australian Journal of Public Health
IS - 4
ER -