OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to collect comparable and reliable data on the antibiotic therapy in Slovakia during the period 1996 – 2005. The special interest was paid to the trend of antibiotic usages. METHODS: Data of wholesalers (following ATC/DDD), who are legally obliged provide this information to the Slovak Institute for Drug Control, was used for the analysis. The results were expressed in finance units (€) and defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). RESULTS: The collected data showed slight decrease in antibiotic consumption from 1996 to 2005 in term of DID - in 1996 (26.42), in 2000 (25.05) and in 2005 (25.11). We can see a noticeable increase in consumption of macrolides (DID) - in 1996 (3.08), in 2000 (2.99) and in 2005 (4.44) and significant increase in fluoroquinolones consumption - in 1996 (0.73), in 2000 (1.55) and in 2005 (2.01). A significant decrease in first-generation cephalosporins consumption - in 1996 (1.17), in 2000 (1.13) and in 2005 (0.45), and a noticeable increase in consumption of second-generation cephalosporins - in 1996 (0.79), in 2000 (1.24) and in 2005 (2.27) can be seen from this analysis. The results show that consumption of combinations of penicillins incl. beta-lactamase has increased - in 1996 (2.24), in 2000 (3.72) and in 2005 (4.83), but consumption of beta-lactamase sensitive penicillins has decreased - in 1996 (4.79), in 2000 (4.11) and in 2005 (2.81) in term of DID. From this study, the stable antibiotics consumption in financial term - in 1996 (39,171,000 €), in 2000 (42,556,000 €) and in 2005 (39,985,000 €) can be seen. CONCLUSION: Inseparable components of the Slovak drug policy must be viewed realistically with regard to the antibiotic consumption. Adherence to principles of antibiotic policy lead to fundamental short and long term financial savings within health care systems.