High prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, the complexity for its treatment, poor correlation of registered drug packs or poor patient adherence to the treatment may contribute to antibiotic resistance and healthcare costs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether registered drug packs are in accordance with European and national guidelines for H pylori eradication with reference to the number of drug units. In this study, we considered treatment options for the management of H pylori infection recommended by the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report and by national guidelines in the United Kingdom (UK), Croatia, Italy and Slovenia for adults. Drugs proposed by the guidelines were identified in national drug databases in July of 2019. When considering correlation for 10-day treatment regimens, drug packs registered in Croatia could not be matched with recommendations for sequential therapies. A number of proposed treatments could not be matched due to small variety of drug packs in Croatia. Drug packs registered in the UK more often matched recommended 14-day treatment regimens and national guidelines. With reference to European guidelines, 10-day treatments could more frequently be matched in Italy and in Slovenia. Furthermore, results of this study indicate that there is smaller variety in drug pack sizes registered in Croatia and Slovenia when compared to UK and Italy. Considering poor correlation of drug packs with treatment guidelines for H pylori, adherence to antimicrobial treatment and proper disposal of antimicrobials is warrant. Discussing adherence to antimicrobial treatment with patients should be introduced as a standard of patient care and education.
Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report; antibiotic resistance; drug pack; treatment guidelines.
© 2019 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).