[Analysis of antibiotic use in the Community of Valencia (2000-2002)].

Objective: To quantify antibiotic prescriptions in the Autonomous Community of Valencia in the years 2000-2002 and analyze the differences in antibiotic use among 20 Valencian Community health areas.

Methods: Retrospective observational population study (3,983,464 inhabitants) of prescriptions recorded in Valencian Community pharmacies during the period 2000-2002. We calculated defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants and day (DHD), for the population without pharmaceutical fees (e.