EXPERT ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL

Abstract

Aim: is to determine the structure of prescriptions of antiepileptic drugs in the Oryol region.

Material and methods. Doctors were surveyed in order to conduct a VEN analysis (Vital, Essential, Non-essential — vital, essential, and non-essential). The analysis procedure was organized in several consecutive stages. Initially, a questionnaire was created, which was subsequently evaluated by experts. After collecting the data, the results were statistically processed. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section collected demographic information from the respondents. The second section of the questionnaire focused on the sources of information about the medications used by doctors. The responses to this section provided insight into doctors' awareness of modern medications. In the third section, respondents were asked to classify the medications they used in their practice for treating patients according to their level of importance: vital, necessary, and secondary. Additionally, experts evaluated these same medications using a three-point scale.

Results. It was revealed that only 33.3% of trade names of antiepileptic drugs registered on the domestic pharmaceutical market, according to medical specialists in the Oryol region, are widely used, effective drugs that are most often prescribed to patients; Experts classified 41.7% of antiepileptic drugs as less prescribed, but quite effective drugs; Doctors considered 25.0% of antiepileptic drugs to be practically not used.

Conclusion. In the region under study, doctors are not sufficiently aware of the wide spectrum of action of antiepileptic drugs and their range presented in pharmacy chains. Thus, the task arises about the importance of informing medical specialists from pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.