SY01-3 * THE PROBLEMS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE IN KOREA AND TAKING ACTIONS TO OVERCOME

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: According to the criminal data related to illegal drug abuse in Korea, the most popular drugs were psychotropics. However, the majority of the illegal drug was psychostimulant including methamphetamine, MDMA not the prescription medication. Nevertheless, we cannot overlook the problem of prescription drug abuse owing to the serious hidden problems. METHODS: The result of survey with the non-psychiatric doctors in Korea about the prescription patterns of benzodiazepine will be presented. Recently, the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaboration Agency reported the potential risks of over-prescriptions of Benzodiazepine in Korea. Some news reported that the problem of Propofol abuse of several celebrities. Those data was summarized. RESULTS: The benzodiazepines were prescribed quite diverse area not only for anxiety relieve or sleep induction but also for just relax of nearly most of impaired physical conditions. The percentage of people who filled BZD prescription of at least once was 8.4-18.6% during one year in all population without restriction of age. Most frequent prescribing active ingredient was diazepam, and gastro-duodenal disease was the most frequent indication for BZD prescription. (29.8% among out-patient claims and 14.7% among in-patient claims). BZD prescription of at least once during five years occurred for a total of 22,361,449 patients (>/= 18 years old) using 5% sampling data. The average national prescription prevalence per 100 people per one year was 23.7%, 7.9%, 4.7%, and 3.2% for BZD annual prescription of >/=1 day, >/=30 days, >/=90 days, and >/= 180 days, respectively using total number of population (>/=18 years old) during study periods. The risk for fracture was higher in patients with BZD prescription than people without BZD prescription. Most of the doctor had a mind to reduce benzodiazepine prescription but only the 17.6% of non-psychiatric doctors tried to discontinue the benzodiazepine prescription. CONCLUSION: The online DUR (Drug Utilization Review) system was disseminated from general hospital to small private clinics nationwide. Through DUR system the authority keeps their eyes on the prescription pattern. For each drug that might have abuse liability limitation of dosage and duration of prescription is strictly monitored. Other ongoing counteract processed will be discussed.