[Comparisons outpatient drug prescriptions: France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden].

UNLABELLED: Comparisons outpatient drug prescriptions: France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden.

OBJECTIVE

Project compares quantitatively outpatient drug prescriptions in France, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

METHODS

Data were obtained from national databases; the unit of measurement was defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants. The five most prescribed drug classes were compared in each country in 2009, then benzodiazepines and antibiotics from 2006 to 2012. A literature review was focused on the context of prescriptions for each country.

RESULTS

In 2009, the five most prescribed drug classes in the four countries represented seven classes in total. France was not the biggest prescriber of drugs, but from 2006 to 2012 benzodiazepines and antibiotics were prescribed much more in France than in the other countries. The evolution of prescriptions was different for each country, and very stable in France.

CONCLUSION

In 2009, France was not the biggest drugs consumer of all classes, but was characterized by high prescriptions in some classes.