ABSTRACT
Background: Polytherapy and comorbidities are a significant component of drug prescriptions in type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Irrational prescriptions and increased cost and number of drug therapies in T2DM put a considerable burden on patients as well as health authorities. Drug utilization studies are a very important tool in the evaluation of such prescriptions for logistical planning and medical audit of a health care setup. Aims and Objectives: To determine the drug utilization patterns of Antihyperglycaemic agents in diabetic patients attending medicine outpatient department and to assess average cost per prescription and to assess the economic implication. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational drug audit was carried out between January 2017 to June 2018 to determine drug utilization patterns of antihyperglycemic and other agents in T2DM patients attending medicine outpatient department of Konaseema Institute of Medical Science General Hospital, Amalapuram. The data were assessed using the World Health Organization indicators for drug utilization and analyzed using mean percentage and Chi-square tests. Value of P < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Metformin had highest Defined Daily Dose of 0.77 and was the most common drug prescribed both as monotherapy (14%) and in combination therapy with glimepiride (42.5%). Amlodipine (15.5%) was the most common non-diabetic drug prescribed in our patients. Average number of drugs per prescription was 3.05, while average number of antihyperglycemic agents per prescription was 1.81. Average cost per prescription was under rupees 50 in 30% of patients and all drugs were prescribed by their brand names. Conclusion: Metformin should be available in sufficient quantities in health care system for T2DM patients and drugs should be prescribed by generic names to reduce cost of drug treatment.
ABSTRACT
Background: Acceptance of vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among general population is the most important step in combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In India, there is a lack of studies that recorded and assess the factors affecting the motivation of general public toward vaccination against COVID-19. Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the acceptance and/or hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine and the association of various demographic indicators in the population of the National Capital Region, India. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted between March 15, 2021 and April 15, 2021, using pre-validated questionnaire containing 20 items. Data obtained was analyzed using the Microsoft excel platform using descriptive statistics. Results: Majority of 438 (45.5%) participants in our study agreed that the COVID-19 vaccine is important for their health. In this study, 323 participants said “yes,” 179 said “No,” 201 (20.9%) said “May be” regarding the key question about opinion of getting COVID-19 vaccination. About 395 (40.9%) agreed that they have concerns about the serious adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines. A considerable portion of 316 (32.89%) of participants also thought newer vaccines carry more risks. Substantial population 286 (29.6%) also thinks the current COVID-19 vaccines are not useful against all existing variants of the CoV-2 virus. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy in this study reflects the concerns about the serious adverse effects, exposure to unreliable information, and probes towards vaccine infectiveness. Dissemination of the evidence-based information about the necessity, effectiveness, and safety of COVID-19 vaccines is required to enable the general population to make the right informed decision.