| Abstract [eng] |
Master thesis of Kamilė Eskytė, scientific supervisor doc. dr. Jonas Grincevičius. Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Farmacy centre. Title of the thesis: Changes in Benzodiazepines utilization in Lithuania Aim of the study: To analyse and evaluate changes in the utilization of benzodiazepine class medicinal products in Lithuania. Tasks of the research: 1. Analyse sales data from the State Medicines Control Agency on the sales of benzodiazepines to pharmacies and health care institutions for 2019 – 2023 period. 2. To determine the influence of the changed procedure for prescribing psychotropic medications on the level of benzodiazepine consumption. 3. Through conducting interviews, to analyse experts' perspectives on the trends in benzodiazepine utilization in Lithuania, as well as the frequency of patients seeking specialist assistance due to inappropriate benzodiazepine use. Methods: During the study mixed research methodology, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative components, was used. For quantitative analysis open sales data from State Medicines Control Agency within the study period was used. The qualitative aspect involved semi-structured interviews aimed at reviewing the findings of the quantitative analysis and evaluating the identified changes. Study participants: Dr. Robertas Badaras – Head of toxicology center of the Republic Vilnius University Hospital, clinical toxicology doctor, anesthesiologist, reanimatologist. Gabija Sakalauskienė Laubner – doctor of clinical toxicology, the head of the acute poisoning department of the Republic Vilnius University Hospital and RITS of toxicology. Edgaras Čiūras – psychiatrist. Results: The conducted data analysis reveals a reduction of 26,85% in the aggregate consumption of benzodiazepines from 2019 to 2023. The most significant alteration in consumption occurred during the timeframe spanning 2020 to 2021, where a decline of 28,13% was noted. Similar trends are evident in sales data to pharmacies, showing a 19,81% reduction and a 14,20% decrease according to sales data. to personal health care institutions. Expert insights were provided on consumption trends, alterations in prescription practices, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. These opinions offer valuable perspectives on benzodiazepine consumption in Lithuania. Conclusions: 1. Data analysis reveals an overall decline in benzodiazepine utilization during the research period. Except for a notable 11,76% rise in triazolam utilization. Particularly noteworhy is the 28,13% reduction in benzodiazepine utilization in 2020 – 2021. 2. Investigating the impact of the revised procedure for prescribing psychotropic drugs implemented in July 2021 on benzodiazepine utilization, a significant decrease was observed. This decline is evident across all benzodiazepines and individual types. 3. Experts unanimously noted a general decrease in benzodiazepine usage in their professional practice. They attribute this trend positively to the revised prescribing procedure introduced in July 2021, with toxicologists frequently encountering cases of misuse among patients. |
