OBJECTIVE: In the new Dutch General-Practitioner’s guidelines Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication is indicated for patients with peptic ulcer disease (ulcus duodeni and ulcus ventriculli). Pharmacotherapy for Hp-eradication comprises a combination of an antibiotic and a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) or a bismuth preparation. Our objective is to estimate gastro-intestinal drugs utilisation and related costs prior and post Hp-eradication. METHODS: For the analysis we used a regional pharmacists’ database in the North of the Netherlands (“Interaction Database”; total population: 130,000; period covered: 1994-98). We selected all patients with two prescriptions on one day from the same doctor: one prescription for antibiotics and one for PPI. In total 1210 potential eradications were found. Over 95% of the patients received at least one of the following combinations: (i) PPI and amoxicillin; (ii) PPI, clarithromycin and metronidazole; (iii) PPI, clarithromycin and amoxicillin. RESULTS: Preliminary results indicate that in the four months prior to eradication 30% of the patients were on ranitidine maintenance therapy and 25% used PPIs, but 45% uses none of both. Costs of PPIs amount to approximately €500 per patient in the year prior to eradication. Post-Hp-eradication results indicate that in the year after eradication costs per patient for PPIs decrease to approximately €250. Updated results – comprising data for 1999 as well - will be presented at the conference. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that a significant share of Hp-eradications occurs in patients not using PPIs or ranitidine. Furthermore, on the short-term costs per patient per year for PPIs are reduced by 50% through Hp-eradication.