Sales statistics in the control of drug abuse in Norway

The system of monitoring the patterns of prescription and consumption of addictive drugs by utilizing computerized data on prescriptions collected in pharmacies throughout Norway is described. The number of prescriptions for narcotic drugs issued in out-patient facilities substantially decreased in the period 1970-1980. Statistics also indicate a decrease in the sale of barbiturates and sedative-hypnotics during the period 1974-1980, while the sale of benzodiazepines increased during the same period. The monitoring system provides reliable information on the use of legally prescribed drugs, which proves useful to the authorities in undertaking appropriate control measures of such drugs.