SURVEY OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PEPTIC-ULCER DRUGS (ACT CLASS AOB2) IN ICELAND

Background: The consumption of peptic ulcer drugs in Iceland is 20 DDD /1000/day, which is two to three times higher than in other Scandinavi an countries. This study was done to register the pattern of use and p ossibly to find reasons for the high consumption. Methods: Prescriptio ns for peptic ulcer drugs (ACT class A02B) were surveyed in Iceland du ring 1 month in 1991. All pharmacies in Iceland participated in the st udy, and information was obtained on about 90% of peptic ulcer drugs u sed outside hospitals. The pharmacists registered all prescriptions of peptic ulcer drugs with regard to the age and sex of the patient, spe ciality of the prescribing physician, and name, dose, and quantity of the drug. Results: A total of 2021 prescriptions were registered, acco unting for 15.4 DDD/1000/day. The prevalence of peptic ulcer drug use was 1.52%, but female use was 52.5%. The maximal use, 2.91% was in the age group 70-79 years. H-2 blockers accounted for 79%, omeprazole for 17%, and other drugs for 4%. General practitioners prescribed 65% of the drugs, gastroenterologists 15%, and other specialists 14%. If the patient himself collected the drug, he was asked to till out a questio nnaire with regard to the reason for the prescription, previous prescr iptions, and investigations. A total of 1131 (56%) of patient question naires were received. Only 1% of the patients did not know the reason for the prescription. The patients registered that 30% of the prescrip tions were for peptic ulcer, 29% for heartburn, 21% for gastritis, 9% for dyspepsia, and 7% for prevention of side effects of other drugs. I t was estimated from the data that about 40% of the prescriptions were for non-ulcer dyspepsia. Investigations were done in 67% of the patie nts, but 33% received the prescription only after an appointment with a physician. Conclusions: The results of the survey suggest that the e xtensive use of peptic ulcer drugs in Iceland is mostly due to excessi ve use in non-ulcer dyspepsia.