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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Analysis of prescription and dispensation of psychotropic medications in two cities in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

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Ana Regina Noto ; Elisaldo de A Carlini ; Patrícia C Mastroianni [3] ; Vanete C Alves ; José Carlos F Galduróz ; Wagner Kuroiwa ; Jussara Csizmar ; Agrimeron Costa ; Mariluci de A Faria ; Sônia Regina Hidalgo ; Dirce de Assis ; Solange Aparecida Nappo
Total Authors: 12
Document type: Journal article
Source: Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria; v. 24, n. 2, p. 68-73, 2002-06-00.
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prescription and dispensation of psychotropic medications through the analysis of the prescriptions/notices kept at various institutions in two cities in the state of São Paulo. METHODS: The prescriptions kept at drugstores, magistral pharmacies, primary care settings and hospitals were collected and analyzed in collaboration with the Sanitary Vigilance agencies in the year of 1999. The information in the prescriptions/notices were typed and tabulated. RESULTS: A total of 108,215 prescriptions were processed, being 76,954 for benzodiazepines, 26,930 for anorexigenic drugs, 3,540 for opiates and 788 for other drugs. The benzodiazepines most frequently prescribed were: diazepam (31,644), bromazepam (16,911) and clonazepam (7,929). Among the anorexigenic drugs, diethylpropion (14,800) and femproporex (10,942) were the most common. When compared to men, women were given more prescriptions, mainly for anorexigenic drugs: the ratio was 10:1 in the prescriptions for diethylpropion and femproporex. The few magistral pharmacies (n=6) handled even more prescriptions than did the drugstores (n=49). A number of errors and inconsistencies were detected in the prescriptions analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the occurrence of an irrational use of such medications and a series of inadequate practices related to their prescription in Brazil. Therefore, they point out to the need of a comprehensive review of the government's control system of these substances. (AU)