Pharmacotherapy Effectiveness in Treating Mental Disorders in Kosovo's Specialized Institutions

Abstract: In various global regions, specialized institutions rigorously supervise pharmacological treatments for mental health disorders. In Kosovo, the absence of such dedicated infrastructure highlights the need for continuous evaluations to refine and enhance treatment practices. Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of pharmacotherapeutic strategies for mental health disorders at specialized centers in Kosovo. Methodology: The research followed the protocols set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Patient data were collected from medical records. A total of 400 patients were analyzed, selected randomly from different cities with sample sizes ranging from 50 to 90 per city. Results: Medication was administered orally in 106.8% of the cases, with no significant differences in administration methods between centers (Chi-Test = 36, p > 0.22) (Tab. 4). Most prescribed medications were classified as non-essential (85.9%). Of the medications prescribed, 69.2% were antipsychotics, 22.3% were anxiolytics, and 14.8% were antidepressants, making up 100% of all drugs used. Conclusion: In Kosovo's mental health facilities, oral administration is the predominant method (PO), with 22.9% of cases involving parenteral administration. The majority of prescribed medications were non-essential (85.9%). Antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed (69.2%). Often, second-line medications are used as the initial treatment choice. The use of effective but high-risk medications is common (e.g., Clozapine at 100.0% from the SDA group). Ineffective medications were observed in 2.50% of cases, and a misalignment between treatment and drug indications occurred in 7.50% of cases.