In our study we present drug consumption dáafrom hedth insuraice compaiies from the yea-s 1998-2002, wholesde dáaa? well a? the results of projects the Europeai Surveillaice of Antimicrobid Consumption (ESAC) aid the Europeai Antimicrobid Resistaice Surveillaice System (EARSS). The consumption of aitibiotics in out paient ca-e represents asubstaitid pat of their totd consumption - in the Czech Republic 92-93% aid this figuře is in accordaice with findings in other Europeai countries. High consumption of tetracyclines ha? been typicd for the Czech Republic for the la?t severd decales. In the observed period the consumption of combined aninopenicillins increa?ed to the detriment of plán aninopenicillins. This switch corresponds to acommon controversid trend to use more broal spectrum aitibiotics. A positive chaige in ai increa?e in consumption of narow spectrum penicillins in 2001 aid 2002. The sha-e of cephdosporins decrea?ed but the second aid fourth generáion ones were ušed more aid more, especidly the second generdion. Consumption of macrolides wa? stdrilised. The highest sha-e of long-acting sulfonanides wa? observed in 2000, while it ha? been decrea?ing since thd; yea\ The popula-ity of non-fluoridáed quinolons considerá>ly decrea?ed, while nitrofurais were ušed quite often. The consumption of sulfonanides incl. combináions with trimetroprim hal been continuously decrea?ing. Therspeutic benefit of fluoroquinolones wa? compromised due to atremendous increa?e of consumption in 1995-1999. In the observed period there were not ušed monobactans, streptogranins aid linezolid in out-pdient ca-e. A smdl but increa?ing consumption wa? noticed in aylureidopenicillins, ca"bspenems, lincosanides, aninoglycosides, glycopeptides aid polymyxines.

        Key words: aitibiotics - consumption - out-pdient ca-e.