Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and antidiabetic drug utilization in the Eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina: A pilot study

There are no national estimates for the prevalence of DM in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), available data is extrapolated from neighboring countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DM, as well as utilization of antidiabetic drugs (ADs) and exposure rates of DM patients to ADs in the eastern region of the Republic of Srpska (RS), BiH. For external reference, data were compared to that from Serbia, Hungary and Norway. Data on the number of all adult patients with DM type 1 and 2 in the three municipalities in the eastern region of RS were obtained from medical records. The use of ADs in the RS, Serbia, Hungary and Norway for the year of 2013 was analysed by ATC/Defined Daily Dose methodology. The exposure of DM patients to ADs was expressed in percentage. The recorded DM prevalence in the three observed municipalities was 6.65%, with high proportion of type 1 compared to type 2 DM (25.32% to 74.68%). The total consumption of ADs recorded in our study was similar to those in Norway, but lower than in Serbia and Hungary. The percentage of theoretical exposure of each patient to ADs was only 78,24%, similar to that in Serbia (80.6%), whereas Norway and especially Hungary had exceptionally good exposure rates (103,8 and 126.5%). High proportion of type 1 DM patients recorded in our study indicates the insufficient detection of DM, especially type 2, whereas the low exposure rate of patients with DM to ADs indicates that even the registered patients with DM are undertreated. There is an urgent need for interventions in prevention and treatment of DM in BiH

The role of a pharmacist in pharmacovigilance system

Introduction: Although they represent an important mediator between patients and National Pharmacovigilance Centre, pharmacists still don't participate enough in system of reporting adverse drug reactions (ADR). By reporting ADR both quality of therapy and quality of patient's life are improving, and pharmaceutical industry is also encouraged to invent and produce new formulations which will be better beared and whose use will significantly improve risk-benefi t ratio. Aim: The aim of this work is that by collecting information about ADRs, based on direct contact of a pharmacist and patients, explain and improve the role of a pharmacist in pharmacovigilance system. Subjects and Methods: Information about adverse reactions were being collected in three private pharmacies in Inđija and in one private pharmacy in Sombor. In period from 20.12.2017.-10.01.2018. pharmacists collected data about adverse reactions of medicines. In period from 11.01.-01.02.2018. patients were additionally informed about unexpected and adverse drug reactions. The standard form for reporting an adverse reaction, which was taken from the site of Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia (ALIMS), was fi lled for each reported case and sent to National Pharmacovigilance Center (NPC). Suspect drugs were classified in categories according to Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical classification (ATC). Results: In first period, there were 19 reported reactions. After additional information given to patients, there were 33 reported adverse reactions. The most numerous adverse drug reactions were reported for the group of cardiovascular drugs (32.7%), the group of anti-infective drugs with systemic effects (15.4%) and for group of drugs which affect nervous system (13.5%). After analyzing reported reactions, according to NPC all of reactions were expected (52), but 3 of them fulfilled criteria of seriousness. Conclusions: Thanks to additional information and direct communication between a pharmacist and patients, reporting unexpected and adverse drug reactions is significantly improving