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In the latest issue of Talnabrunnur, positive signs are observed in trends in the use of medicines with dependence and addiction potential.

The review shows that the use of medicines has declined across many therapeutic classes, particularly among the oldest age group. This development aligns with the goals of the Medication Without Harm initiative, which emphasises improved medication safety, cautious prescribing, and better oversight of pharmacotherapy through a centralised medication record.

The review also highlights a pronounced gender disparity in medication use. Women represent the majority of users across most therapeutic classes, with the difference being especially marked for sedatives and hypnotics, where nearly twice as many women as men are prescribed these medicines. Women have also become the majority of users of stimulant ADHD medications among adults, while boys remain the majority of users under the age of 18, despite a decrease from the previous year.

Finally, the findings show higher levels of medication use in the Northern Region compared with some other regions, while a substantial decline is observed in the Westfjords. This raises questions about whether the need for medication is genuinely lower in the Westfjords or whether these differences may reflect variations in access to healthcare services and/or prescribing practices across health regions.

The author of the article is Védís Helga Eiríksdóttir.

More information
Kjartan Hreinn Njálsson, Assistant to the Medical Director of Health
kjartan.h.njalsson@landlaeknir.is