Type, scope und quality of drug utilization

Drug utilization research examines the quantitative and qualitative aspects of drug utilization. These include the medical, social and psychological f actors and consequences of drug use in relation to specific patient groups and specific population groups, as well as the population in general (EURO- DURG-Resolution 1997). The present article puts particular emphasis on the methodological aspects and the public health perspectives involved in this branch of research. A major goal of drug utilization research is the improv ement of drug therapy as administered by physicians and pharmacists and the assessment of drug use in the population as a whole, encompassing both pre scription-based and self-administered medication, In addition, drug utiliza tion research also fulfills an important public health role in a welfare st ate by monitoring and controlling drug expenditure, by providing data that serve to answer health policy questions and by contributing to the manageme nt and planning of public health politics. Drug utilization research makes use of 2 data sources. On the one hand, case-related (prescription-related) mass data (e.g. drug index) or prescriptions and medical records for patie nt groups held by specific institutions (e.g. IMS data, utilization observa tions), on the other hand, personal but anonymous prescription information and medical records taken from unselected natural populations (e.g. survey data from statutory health insurance institutions). Comparing drug utilizat ion data for population groups in various regions, both national and intern ational as well as between medical institutions, sociodemographic groups an d diagnostic profiles will help to provide information on the medical, econ omical and social determinants of drug use and provide a base for health po licies.