The Trend of Antibiotics Usage in Korea during 1981-1998

Kim, Sang Il; Park, Jae Myung; Wie, Seong Heon; Kim, Yang Ree; Kang, Moon Won

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With the time course, the cost and the amounts of produced antibiotics are increasing but it is difficult to get the exact data and there were limitations to know the trend of antibiotics usage. So we examined the trend of antibiotics usage every five year during 1981-1998 by using two parameters; the cost and the amount of antibiotics produced in South Korea.
METHODS
We used the data from 'Annual products of medicine' published by Korea Pharmaceutical Manufactures Association. Every antibiotics were classified to generic names, and the cost and the amounts of produced antibiotics were compared each year.
RESULTS
In 1998, the total cost of produced antibiotics was 1,150 billion won and the amount was 708.6 ton. The cost was increased by 20.0% compared to that of 1995. Cephalosporins made the largest proportion of the cost in antibiotic production that was 43.8% (503.3 billion won) in 1998. With the time course proportion of the third and the second generation cephalosporins were increased. Penicillins made the largest proportion (46%) of the total amount and were produced 325.7 ton. Among them, aminopenicillins were 86% of the total cost of penicillins and 95% of the total amount of penicillins. Especially the cost of aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitor was 2.3 times increased since 1993 thus made the major cause of increase. Quinolones were increased 2.1 times and macrolides were increased 2.2 times in production cost for 5 years. Tetracyclines, lincosamides and chloramphenicols were decreased in both production cost and amount, but penicillins and macrolides were increased in production cost even though production amounts were decreased.
CONCLUSION
There seemed to be an increase in the cost and the amount of antibiotic production in Korea. Especially productions of newer drugs such as aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitor, third generation cephalosporins, some of macrolides and carbapenems were increased remarkably. And the use of glycopetides, anti-fungal agents, and antiviral agents were increasing also. Some drugs were thought to be an inappropriate use. More epidemiologic study and the guidelines for the proper use of antibiotics are needed.