Cardiovascular drugs in Czechoslovakia--registration and consumption data

Data on registration and consumption of cardiovascular drugs in Czechoslovakia were sorted from the computerized Drug Information System (DIS) for a detailed analysis. Cardiovascular drugs (including antiarrhythmics, cardiac glycosides, diuretics, antihypertensive agents and vasodilators) represent at present 10% of all registered drugs in Czechoslovakia with an ever increasing trend over the last ten years. For economical analysis of consumption of cardiovascular drugs, three methodological approaches (expenditure figures, material units--number of packages and DDD (Defined Daily Dosis), as a technical unit of measurement) were chosen. In the period of 7 years (1980-1986) all three methodologies confirmed the increasing trend of cardiovascular drugs consumption in Czechoslovakia. However, an international comparison of consumption data between Czechoslovakia and Sweden revealed lower levels in Czechoslovakia in this respect.