Antibiotic prescription in primary health care: clinical and economic perspectives (Catalonia, Spain).

OBJECTIVE

To quantify clinical inappropriateness of antibiotic prescription and its costs in primary health care.

METHODS

2470 cases of infectious disease during 1998 were analysed.

RESULTS

Of all cases, 69.9% did not require antibiotic treatment. Global clinical inappropriateness amounted to 43.7%, rising to 56.7% with the introduction of economic criteria. Treatment unnecessary but antibiotic provided (27.9%) represented the most important category. Costs of inappropriateness reached 68.4% of the estimated total cost.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate antibiotic use should be focused on reducing antibiotic prescription when not indicated and restraining the use of penicillins maintaining restrictive and adequate health policies, and also achieving co-responsibility from the general population.