Monitoring of antibiotic prescribing promotes rational use of drugs, reduces costs and slows down the development of resistance. Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are common conditions managed in primary health care (PHC). The aim of this study was to evaluate prescribing of antibiotics, especially in the treatment of URIs in PHC of Niš region and to identify the practice of drug overuse, underuse or inappropriate use. The data on outpatient use of antibacterials for systemic use was obtained by retrospective study and expressed as the number of defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), according to the WHO anatomic therapeutic chemical classification and DDD measurement methodology. The City Pharmacy Department provided automatic reports on antibiotics prescribed by physicians for certain diagnoses in the Niš region over the 2005-2007 period. In the same period, outpatient antibiotic use increased by 9.02% (22.83/ 25.96 DID). The most commonly prescribed drugs were semi-synthetics penicillins and macrolides. The greatest increase in antibiotics prescriptions was noted in azithromycin (by 164%). Out of the total number of antibiotics, 70.5% prescriptions were made for the treatment of URIs. Pharingitis acuta was the most common indication for prescription of antimicrobial medicines (45.26%). Amoxicillin (33%) and cephalexin (35%) were most commonly prescribed antibiotics for this indication. This analysis shows the irrational use of antibiotics in primary health care in the Niš region, which requires an additional application of educational programs and monitoring of microbial sensitivity. The results will be the basis for further evaluation of rational use of antibiotics in primary health care.
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