Characterization of the prescription drugs for elderly in the public health care of Jataizinho, Paraná State, Brazil, 2008 - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v35i1.9803

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the drug prescriptions for older users of the Public Health of the city of Jataizinho, Paraná State, Brazil. For this, the indicators of drug prescription suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) were used as parameters. In addition, the drugs prescribed were classified according to the WHO’s Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. In the total of prescriptions analyzed (723), 1220 drugs have been identified, and the average of drugs per prescription was 1.7. Among these drugs, 86.5% were prescribed by generic name. Of the prescriptions assessed, 8.7% contained antibiotics, and 1.4%, injectables. 94.1% of prescription drugs belonged to the municipal list of medicines, and 81.1% were included in the national list of essential medicines. The most prescribed drugs were related to the cardiovascular system, alimentary tract and metabolism, and nervous system. With these results, it was noticed that most of the indicators observed encompasses the WHO recommendations. Also, the majority of drugs prescribed are in accordance with the main diseases that affect the elderly people and may contribute to support the development of local lists of essential drugs.