Diazepam is an essential benzodiazepine-type drug which in the National Formulary has to be available at basic health care facilities and referrals. However, during the past 10 years (2004-2013), the consumption and utilization of diazepam in Indonesia were declining.
“Compared to the consumption from 2003 until 2004, the consumption from 2011 until 2013 decreased by 45%,” said AKBP. Dra. Nunung Priyanti Waluyatiningsih, M.Biomed, Apt. during an open examination for her doctoral programme at Faculty of Medicine UGM on Sunday (25/9).
Nunung said Indonesia has low diazepam consumption compared to ASEAN countries. In 2011, the consumption of diazepam in Indonesia was 0.35 S-DDD under Thailand which was 4.17 S-DDD, 2.11 S-DDD in Singapore, 0.72 S-DDD in Laos, and 0.46 S-DDD in Malaysia.
Nunung said diazepam is distributed by an official distribution which is through several distribution spots from the producer, supplier, health facility, until the patients. It gives potential for leaks in several distribution spots such as drugstore, community health center, and clinic. Distributional infiltration to unofficial distribution is difficult to be identified. Fortunately, there is no such potential in governmental pharmacy installation, industry, and hospital pharmacy installation.
The distribution of diazepam is marked by numerous diazepam misuses by the community as well as the disclosure of benzodiazepine criminal case both by the distributor and the consumer. According to Nunung, monitoring in distribution spots is essential to be done in order to ensure diazepam is used properly and enough to fulfill the health service necessity.
“Moreover, it also aims to prevent the leaking of distribution to the unofficial track,” she added.
Nunung further said the availability of diazepam in Yogyakarta is not enough to fulfill its demand. Several health facilities do not have sufficient supply of diazepam. The concern on misuse and insufficient supply of diazepam become the main factors of the unavailability in Yogyakarta. Supply system becomes a factor that also affects the availability of diazepam which gives impact to the quality of health service in the end.