Overprescribing of Topical Ocular Corticosteroids and Antibiotics in Out-of-Hours Primary Care in Belgium

Abstract

Prescribing patterns by primary care physicians concerning ophthalmic problems were studied using the iCAREdata, a database containing information from the out-of-hours care setting in the Flanders region of Belgium. A very high percentage of prescribed ophthalmic medication was topical antibiotics (89.4%) with tobramycin as the most prevalent substance and in clear conflict with the prevailing guidelines. In addition, a very substantial fraction of prescribed medication contained corticosteroids (30.4%). This is a potentially unsafe option within the technical infrastructure of this setting, which limits the diagnostic possibilities concerning viral infections or preexisting glaucoma risk. We conclude that more efforts are required to limit unnecessary and inappropriate prescribing behavior to further promote patient safety.

Keywords:

• antibiotics
• conjunctivitis
• drug utilization research
• referral process

Abbreviations

AB, Antibiotic; ATC, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System; ICPC, International Classification of Primary Care; NSAID, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug.

Disclosure

The authors report grants from the Research Foundation Flanders, during the conduct of the study. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.