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Geographical Variation in Medication Prescriptions: A Multiregional Drug-Utilization Study
Veronica Russo1,2, Valentina Orlando1,2, Valeria Marina Monetti1,2
1Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
|June 16, 2020
Summary
Geographical variations significantly impact drug prescription rates in Italy, with higher prevalence observed in Campania compared to Lombardy. This highlights the need for region-specific strategies to optimize medication prescribing for chronic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacoeconomics
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Geographical factors and general practitioner (GP) characteristics influence drug prescribing patterns.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for optimizing medication use and healthcare resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence rate (PR) of drug use in six key therapeutic categories for chronic conditions.
- To assess the impact of geographical and GP characteristics on drug prescribing behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pharmacy-claim databases from four local health units (LHUs) across Lombardy and Campania, Italy.
- Analyzed six drug categories: proton-pump inhibitors, antibiotics, respiratory drugs, statins, renin-angiotensin system agents, and psychoanaleptics.
- Employed multivariate linear regression to associate PR with geographical area, GP demographics, and patient population characteristics.
Main Results:
- Significant geographical variation in drug prescription rates was observed, with higher PRs in Campania than in Lombardy.
- Antibiotics exhibited the highest PR across all assessed LHUs.
- Multivariate analysis confirmed geographical area as a significant factor influencing PR for all drug categories, particularly for antibiotics, proton-pump inhibitors, and respiratory drugs.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals substantial geographical disparities in medication prescribing for common chronic conditions in Italy.
- These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted, area-specific strategies to improve prescribing practices and optimize healthcare outcomes.
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