[Evolution of antipsychotic drug consumption in the autonomous community of Castile and Leon, Spain (1990-2001)].

Background: Over the past ten years, new drugs and new approaches to treatment have been implemented making it possible to assume changes in the use of antipsychotic drugs in our environment. This study is aimed at characterizing the pattern of use of antipsychotic drugs in Castile and Leon throughout the 1990-2001 period as well as ascertaining the bearing which the marketing of new antipsychotic drugs may have had on the pattern of consumption of these drugs.

Methods: The drug consumption data was obtained from the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs' consumption database ECOM (Especialidades Consumo de Medicamentos).