Geographical Variation in Medication Prescriptions: A Multiregional Drug-Utilization Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies have emphasized the importance of geographical factors and general practitioner (GP) characteristics in influencing drug prescriptions.

Objectives

To: (i) ascertain the prevalence rate (PR) of use of drugs in six therapeutic categories used for chronic conditions; (ii) assess how geographical characteristics and GP characteristics may influence drug prescribing.

Methods

This study is part of the EDU.RE.DRUG Project, a national collaborative project founded by Italian Medicine Agency (AIFA). Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken employing the pharmacy-claim databases of four local health units (LHUs) located in two Italian regions: Lombardy and Campania. Six drug categories were evaluated: proton-pump inhibitors; antibiotics; respiratory-system dr

SUBMITTER: Russo V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7269055 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature