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 factors 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 search. A major goal of drug utilization research is the improvement of drug therapy as administered by physicians and pharmacists and the assessment of drug use in the population as a whole, encompassing both prescription-based and self-administer medication. In addition, drug utilization research also fulfills an important public health role in a welfare state by monitoring and controlling drug expenditure, by providing data that serve to answer health policy questions and by contributing to the management and planning of public health politics. Drug search 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 patient groups held by specific institutions (e.g. IMS data, utilization observations), 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 utilization data for population groups in various regions, both national and international as well as between medical institutions, sociodemographic groups and diagnostic profiles will help to provide information on the medical, economical and social determinants of drug use and provide a base for health policies.