Impact of the consumption of ophthalmic topical antibiotics]

Introduction The aim of the study was to value the impact of the consumption of the topical antibiotics used in ophthalmology and to lay the foundations for their prudent use Material and methods A descriptive study about antibiotic use in Spain between 1(st) January 2004 and 31(th) December 2008 was carried out Drugs used in the study had to follow the next criteria topical administration and ophthalmic antibiotics only or in association Data of the number of vials and nosocomial consumption were provided by Intercontinental Marketing Services (IMS) and Health National System, respectively Results Nosocomial and community ophthalmologic antiinfectives in 2008 mean a cost of 4 9 and 24 4 millions of euros respectively increasing a 5 5% respect to the previous year Six millions of vials were used, 65% were antibiotics alone and 35% antibiotics in association The most used ophthalmic antibiotics in monoterapy were the aminoglycosides (tobramycin and gentamicin) followed by the quinolones while the most used ophthalmic antibiotic in association were gramicidine plus neomycine plus polimixin B Conclusions The ophthalmic antiinfectives market alone and in association used in the nosocomial and community context means 30 millions of euros and shows an increase about 6% Strict measures in the antibiotic use are not taken in count in the context of the ophthalmic topical antibiotics