Use of ACE-inhibitors in Serbia in 2009 and 2010

• Published in: Hospital Pharmacology
• Main Authors: Perić Dajana M., Milijašević Dragana S., Tomić Nataša Z., Knežević Aleksandar D., Bukumirović Nina R., Milijašević Boris Ž.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Serbian Medical Society 2014-01-01
• Subjects: pharmacoepidemiology; ACE-inhibitors; cardiovascular system; hypertension
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/2334-9492/2014/2334-94921403122P.pdf

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries as well as in our country. That explains why medications for the treatment of CVD are the most used group of drugs. The aim of this study was to analyze the consumption of ACE-inhibitors in Serbia and Norway during 2009 and 2010. Material and methods The data about the use of ACE-inhibitors in Serbia and Norway in 2009 and 2010 were taken from the Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices of the Republic of Serbia and from the site of Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Results Use of drugs of first choice in the treatment of hypertension in Serbia was very uneven, where the consumption of ACE-inhibitors was dominant. Opposed to this condition, the consumption of the first choice antihypertensive drugs was very balanced in Norway. During both analyzed years large part of consumption of ACE-inhibitors was taken by more expensive drugs in Serbia, as fosinopril, cilazapril and quinapril. In Norway in the observed period, dominated the consumption of cheaper drugs such as enalapril and ramipril. The situation is similar when it comes to fixed combination of diuretics and ACE-inhibitors. In Norway dominated the fixed combination of diuretics and cheaper ACE-inhibitors like enalapril and lisinopril. However, in Serbia, we have large consumption fixed combinations of diuretics with expensive ACE-inhibitors, such as cilazapril and fosinopril. Conclusions In both countries, ACE-inhibitors and their fixed combination with diuretics are most frequently used drugs within the group of drugs which is used for treatment of CVD in Serbia in 2009 and 2010. The amount and structure of the utilized ACE-inhibitors in Serbia is different from the amount and structure of the utilized ACE inhibitors in Norway. From pharmacoeconomic point of view, high consumption of expensive ACE-inhibitors (plain and fixed combination with diuretics) in 2009 and 2010 in Serbia resulted in the higher spending of funds.