ABSTRACT
Background: Asthma is rather a clinical syndrome than a disease with availability wide range of medications. Drug utilization studies are necessary to improve prescribing pattern among physicians.Methods: The 250 study subjects were interviewed, and prescription data was recorded in a pre-designed case record form. The data was compiled using Microsoft excel and presented in a tabulated and graphical presentation.Results: Out of 250 study subjects most of the study subjects are between 61-70 years of age. Majority of subjects are males (58%). Out of 250, (49%) are found out to be smokers. Dust, smoke and pollen are found out to be most common allergen. Most common type of asthma was mild intermittent (134) study subjects. Socio-economic status of was found out to be lower middle class in majority (158 out of 250). Large number of study population is suffering from co-morbid conditions such as URTI and COPD. Salbutamol was most common single drug used for nebulization therapy and most common combination is salbutamol + ipatropium bromide + budesonide. Most common oral drug used are methylxanthines and most frequently used intravenous drugs are deriphylline and hydrocortisone. Various antibiotics are prescribed to majority of subjects, most common was amoxicillin + clavulanic acid combination. Most commonly suffered adverse drug reaction between study subjects were gastrointestinal disturbances.Conclusions: It is concluded that prescribing pattern for asthma at A.V.B.R.H. is not according to standard guidelines, hence it is need of the hour to encourage physicians to follow guidelines.
ABSTRACT
Background: Population burden, illiteracy, availability of few doctors for larger group of population all these leads to many unanswered questions left in a patient’s mind. Incomplete information results into noncompliance, therapeutic failure, and adverse drug reactions (ADR). It is very important to establish a system which will provide noncommercial, independent, unbiased source of medicine information. Medicines Info OPD is a concept and step towards safe and appropriate use of medicines. Objective: (1) To assess the present status of knowledge about the medicines in the patients and its correlation with education. (2) To assess the medicine information dispensing modalities, their use and sufficiency from the patients view point. (3) To assess the overall need for Medicines Information OPD in present scenario. Materials and Methods: A pre-validated questionnaire based study was conducted amongst 500 patients of tertiary health care hospital. The questionnaire consisted of specific questions regarding understanding of prescription, knowledge about adverse drug reaction, view about self-medication and opinion regarding the need of Medicines Info OPD. Results: Significantly large proportion of patients opined that doctors do not have sufficient time in current Indian healthcare to explain the prescription and they are not aware of adverse drug reactions, expiry date or use the package inserts etc. Conclusion: Clinically relevant, up to date, user specific, independent, objective and unbiased Medicines Info OPD is essential for appropriate drug use and can help in a big way to common public to address many problems faced by them.