The clinical appropriateness - in terms of indication and/or prescription - obtained in this study is 56%. This percentage lowers to 43% when economic criteria are used together with the clinical criteria.
70% of the consultations were caused by infectious diseases not requiring antibiotic treatment, and of these prescription was inappropriate in 40% of the cases, when antibiotics were actually prescribed.
Out of the 30% of the consultations requiring antibiotic treatment, prescription was inappropriate in 53% of the cases, therefore exposing the patients to the potential adverse effects of antibiotics, and increasing the likeliness of bacterial resistances.
In 9% of the cases, antibiotics were not prescribed in diagnosis requiring them, with a negative impact in terms of health and of new cost.
The costs of inappropriateness represent 69% of the total expense in antibiotics, and represent a mean inappropriate cost of 982 Pta. per infectious disease consultation.
Support to primary care professionals, with the implementation of training and information activities, should be encouraged.