Comparative study on benzodiazepine use in Canada and Chile

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• International Health

Background:

• Benzodiazepines are globally the most prescribed psychotropic medications.
• Comparative international data on benzodiazepine utilization, particularly between developed and developing countries, is lacking.
• Understanding prescribing patterns is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare benzodiazepine use patterns in a developed country (Canada) and a developing country (Chile).
• To identify differences in the types and trends of benzodiazepine utilization between the two nations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized wholesale drug data from Intercontinental Medical Statistics and import data.
• Analyzed benzodiazepine use trends over five years using the World Health Organization's (WHO) defined daily dose (DDD)/1000 inhabitants/day methodology.
• Compared total consumption and specific drug classes between Chile and Canada.

Main Results:

• Overall benzodiazepine consumption was similar in Canada and Chile, with a slow increase noted in Canada.
• Significant differences in prescribing patterns were observed: Canada showed a rise in rapidly eliminated benzodiazepines, while Chile saw an increase in slowly eliminated ones.
• Hypnotic benzodiazepine use was twice as frequent in Canada compared to Chile, with notable variations in individual drug prescriptions.

Conclusions:

• Despite similar total consumption, benzodiazepine use patterns vary considerably between developed (Canada) and developing (Chile) countries.
• Differences in healthcare systems and demographic factors likely contribute to these distinct prescribing trends.
• Variations in benzodiazepine use patterns may influence associated morbidity rates, necessitating further investigation.