Actual use
A total of 337 prescriptions containing 93 different ATC codes were registered in the pharmacy records with use in the 6-weeks diary period. Table 2 shows the actual use of medications dispensed according to the diaries. Actual use was highest for medication for chronic conditions (88%, 95% CI 81-93), followed by pregnancy-related medication (79%, 95% CI 71-86) and medication for occasional and short-time use (69%, 95% CI 60-77). For the medication groups, actual use ranged between 14% (asthma rescue medication) and 100% (antidepressants, asthma maintenance medication, medication for immune-related inflammatory diseases, and thyroid medication). Similar patterns were observed for individual medications, with perfect actual use for citalopram, levothyroxine, and loratadine. Actual use was lowest for combination preparations with meclizine (45%), topical hydrocortisone (20%), and salbutamol (14%).