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Background: Fungal infections are a major threat to human health. Immunocompromised patients are more susceptible to fungal infections which may be from superficial to systemic fungal infections. Proper diagnosis and appropriate prescription is essential for management of these fungal infections. Inappropriate use of antifungal agents can lead to antifungal resistance and adverse effects caused by them. Therefore, this study was carried out to understand the prescription pattern of antifungal drugs among patients from various departments such as general medicine, dermatology, obstetrics, and gynaecology at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of the study are as follows: (i) To understand the Antifungal prescription practices in our hospital and (ii) to improve the rational use of antifungal drugs. Materials and Methods: This was an observational and cross-sectional study. Inpatients and outpatients of age above 18 years attending Government Omandurar Medical College, Chennai, during the study period of 2 months who were prescribed antifungal drugs were included in this study. The prescriptions of 342 patients were collected and data including age, gender, diagnosis, name of the antifungal drugs, route of administration, dosage form, and duration of treatment were reviewed. Out of 342 prescriptions, 92 contained more than one antifungal drugs in their prescriptions. The data collected were analyzed for frequency of antifungal drugs prescription and percentage values calculated. Results: In our study, females (n = 198; 57.95%) were prescribed antifungal drugs more than males. Most of them are out patients from the age group of 31–50 years (n = 159; 46.49%). Dermatology (n = 272; 79.53%) department had the most number of antifungal prescriptions. Tinea corporis (n = 138; 40.35%) was the most common fungal infection to be prescribed. Clotrimazole (n = 115; 27.89%) was the most commonly prescribed antifungal drug followed by Fluconazole (n = 105; 24.19%). Topical route (n = 268; 61.75%) was the most common route of administration of antifungal drugs followed by oral and parental routes, respectively. Conclusion: This study report helped us to analyze the prescribing pattern of antifungal drugs in our tertiary care hospital. This gave an idea to create guidelines for the rational use of antifungal drugs in our institution.
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Background: Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological disease affecting 85% of adolescents across the globe with 40% having persistent acne well into their twenties. Acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation often negatively impact self-perception, social interactions, and affect quality of life scores in adolescents. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prescription pattern of drugs used in the treatment of acne to find out the current prescribing practices relating to comprehensive care being provided at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and observational study conducted after getting approval of Institutional Ethics Committee on 135 patients of either sex and age more than 12 and ?40 years diagnosed with acne. Results: Data of 135 prescriptions of acne patients were analyzed. Most patients presented with Grade 2 (n = 56; 41.5%) acne followed by Grade 3 acne (n = 40; 29.6%) patients. The average numbers of drugs per prescription was 3.87. Out of 522 drugs prescribed, 436 (83.5%) were topical and 86 (16.5%) were oral formulations. Among topical formulations, most frequently prescribed drug was tretinoin prescribed to 92 (68.1%) patients whereas, doxycycline was the most preferred oral antibiotic prescribed to 66 (48.9%) patients. Conclusion: The study revealed that drugs prescribed were found to be in accordance with the treatment guidelines proposed by Indian dermatologists and American Academy of Dermatology.
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Background: Antimicrobial agents (AMAs) are an integral part of management of diseases in the department of general medicine, and a wide range of antimicrobials are used for prevention, prophylaxis, or treatment of various infectious diseases. Systematic studies regarding the pattern of AMAs use may help in improving the quality of patient care by evidence-based practices and also in formulating effective antimicrobial usage guidelines. Aim and Objectives: The objectives of this study were as follows: (i) To analyze the prescribing trends of Antimicrobials in Medicine wards of a Tertiary Care Hospital; (ii) to assess safety profile of AMAs; and (iii) to analyze extraneous factors influencing AMAs prescription. Materials and Methods: The prospective analysis of Antimicrobial prescriptions of Medicine wards for the period of July 2018–August 2019. The class of AMAs, formulation, dose, route of administration, frequency, and duration of administration and their safety was assessed using the WHO indicators. Results: The most frequently used AMAs were third generation cephalosporin (Ceftriaxone) and it was frequently combined with metronidazole. The choice of initial AMAs was empirical, which was later changed depending on the clinical response. The AMAs were effective in preventing or controlling infections and well tolerated without any serious adverse reactions or drug interactions. Conclusions: The rational use of AMAs is necessary to control worldwide emergence of antibacterial resistance, side effects, and to reduce the cost of treatment.
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Background: There are multiple protocols currently being followed worldwide for effective management of COVID-19 depending on the disease severity as a consequence, of which the prescribing patterns and therapeutic choices still remain unclear. Drug utilization studies provide insight into the current prescribing practices and help us in facilitating the rational use of drugs. Aim and Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate utilization pattern of medications used to treat COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with moderate disease as defined by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines. Materials and Methods: Hospital-based prospective, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in Designated COVID Hospital, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar for 4 months from March 1, 2021, to June 31, 2021. Data were collected from patients, every 10th inpatient was randomly selected. Rationality of prescriptions was evaluated using the WHO core drug prescribing indicators. A total of 234 hospitalized patients aged more than 18 years with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 of moderate severity according to ICMR guidelines were included in the study. Results: In our study, we found average number of drugs per encounter as 7.29. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name as 89.05%. Percentage of encounters with antibiotic as 96.58%. Percentage of encounters with an injection prescribed as 100%. Percentage of drugs prescribed from essential drug list as 83.25%. Conclusion: Drug utilization in COVID-19 is diverse and is in accordance with the existing guidelines. Medications used are highly corresponding to the disease severity. Polypharmacy detected, here, is not irrational as it suppressed the COVID-related mortality. Steroids, anticoagulants and oxygen being the key determinants.
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Background: The term obstructive airway disorder comprises of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD). Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of airways while COPD is disease of alveoli. Asthma is characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and nocturnal cough while patients of COPD present with chronic progressive breathlessness and wheezing. International guidelines are established for the management of obstructive airway disorders. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate drug prescribing pattern in bronchial asthma and COPD patients at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: After obtaining permission from hospital authority and permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee, 54 admitted patients� prescription were screened between period of June 2021 to December 2021. Informed consent taken from the patients and were interviewed for collection of basic data such as name, age, and occupation. The purpose of the observational study was to see whether there is adherence to current practice guidelines of obstructive airway disorders. Data were compiled and tabulated using excel sheet and were presented using percentages and frequencies with necessary graphs and charts. Results: Short acting ?2 agonist (91%) and corticosteroids (59%) were the most prescribed agents in bronchial asthma while corticosteroids (75%) and short acting antimuscarinic agents (78.57%) were most common prescription in COPD patients. The most common antibiotic used for in obstructive airway disease was beta lactam antibiotic-cefotaxime. Conclusion: In obstructive airway disorders, inhalation route was most preferred route as compared to oral, intramuscular, or intravenous route. The preferred antibiotic was cefotaxime.
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Background: Appropriate use of drugs is essential in dermatophytosis to reduce morbidity and associated financial burden to the sufferers. Aims and Objectives: To explore the demographic characteristics along with the prescription pattern, self-medication practice, and price variability of the prescribed brands in the treatment of the dermatophytosis patients. Materials and Methods: Newly diagnosed consented dermatophytosis patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional observational study. Their baseline demographic characteristics were documented in the case report form along with the prescription details with self-medication history and Maximum Retail Price of each prescribed brand of drug. Results: Among total of 114 subjects (68 males, 46 females), majority were young (56.14%, <33 y). Most common diagnosis was tinea cruris followed by combination of tinea cruris and corporis. Average monthly family income was 11469.29 ± 10027.5 INR. Brand prescription was (74.15%), higher than generic (25.84%). Oral formulations were more prescribed (54.83%) than topical (45.16%) whereas individually luliconazole (cream) topped (23.18%) in the list. No topical or systemic steroid was prescribed. The commonest drug regimen was capsule itraconazole, luliconazole cream, and cetirizine or levocetirizine tablet with or without ketoconazole soap or tea tree body wash (71/114, 62.28%). About 39.47% subjects practiced self-medication, topical steroids (37.20%) mostly used. Price variability (percentage) among brands of the same drug was highest in ketoconazole soap (138.66%), followed by terbinafine tablet 250 mg (89.50%) followed by itraconazole capsule (83.33%). Conclusion: Luliconazole cream, itraconazole (capsule/tablet), terbinafine (tablet) and ketoconazole soap were the highly prescribed antifungal agents whereas topical steroid was mostly preferred as self-medication. Prescription of generic drugs should be promoted as well as inappropriate use of self-medication should be discouraged among the prescribers and the patients respectively.
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Background: These Diseases are chronic and often have complex pathologies which lead to polypharmacy and causes unwanted adverse drug reaction (ADRs). We conducted this study at Respiratory Medicine Department of Gandhi Medical College and associated Hamidia Hospitals, Bhopal. Aim and Objective: The objectives of the study were (i) to monitor and assess ADRs in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Asthma, Bronchiectasis; and (ii) to assess causality of the ADR using WHO-UMC causality assessment system and Naranjo’s ADR probability scale. Materials and Methods: The present study indicates the pattern and spectrum of ADRs due to drugs used in the treatment of COPD, Asthma, Bronchiectasis. 159 patients from Respiratory Medicine, Gandhi Medical College receiving chemotherapy were enrolled in study after written informed consent of patients. Approval was obtained from institutional ethics committee. It was cross-sectional, observational study. Prescriptions were analyzed for number of drugs prescribed using a predesigned format. Any ADR observed by patient or treating physician was noted and causality was assessed by Naranjo’s algorithm and WHO-UMC scale. Results: In our study, most important causative drug was Budesonide (12.3%). Causality assessment of ADR by Naranjo’s algorithm showed 22% probable and 78% possible reactions. According to WHO-UMC scale, 81% reactions are possible, 17% are probable, and 2% are unlikely. Conclusion: To minimize this high incidence of ADRs dose individualization and therapeutic monitoring of medicine is important. In clinical practice, special precautions while prescribing these drugs with well-known potential for causing ADRs, early detection and appropriate intervention are required. This may greatly contribute to reduce the incidence, frequency, severity, morbidity, and possible mortality.
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Background: Prescription pattern monitoring studies are tool for assessing the prescribing, dispensing, and distribution of medicines prevailing in a particular area. The main aim of such studies is to facilitate rational use of medicines. Irrational prescribing leads to increased incidence of adverse effects, drug interactions, and emergence of drug resistance. Aim and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate drug prescription pattern of outpatient department patients as per the drug use indicators developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and also the occurrence of different medication errors. Materials and Methods: 662 prescriptions were evaluated. The WHO core drug prescribing indicators analyzed were Average number of medicines prescribed per patient encounter, percentage of medicines prescribed by generic name, percentage of encounters with an antibiotic, injections, or fixed-dose combination (FDC), score of generic prescription, and justification for the use of brand names. The categories of prescription errors which were studied were legibility, absence of doctor identity, diagnosis, drug dosage, and duration. Results: The most common medication error was lack of treatment duration (75.1%) and illegibility of the prescriptions (61.9%). Most of the drugs were prescribed in generics. About 72.5% of the prescriptions had 100% generic score. Although the use of brand names was not justifiable in most cases. The use of injectables, antibiotics, and FDC was 0.9%, 46.5% and 76.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Such studies should be done regularly to evaluate the lacunae in drug prescribing patterns and improve them.
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Background : Diabetic patients need to consume multiple Vmedications at a time due to presence of Hyperglycemia, its pathophysiology and complications.In this context the compliance of the patient depends on the cost of therapy, The conduction of this study was faced with limitations like the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of that, we have decided to conduct this challenging task by analyzing the pattern of prescriptions and comparing the prices of Anti-diabetic Drugs in our Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. Objective : • To study the pattern of prescription writing in Type II Diabetes Mellitus and its association with the extent of control of the disease. • To analyze and compare the cost of different Anti-diabetic Drugs in Type II Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Material and Methods : This is an observational study of descriptive type. It is prospective in nature. All the demographic characteristics of the patient, disease profile, drug profile and prescription profile were included in the case report form. A photocopy of the patient’s Pharmacy Bill was collected from the indoor Pharmacy for analysis. Result : The mean number of anti-diabetic medications prescribed in Generic name was 3.0(±2.12) while the mean number of drugs prescribed in Brand name was 4.02(±1.99). The average number of prescribed injectable drugs was 0.11 (±0.31) with p- value=0.012 and the mean number of prescribed Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) was 0.16 (±0.42) with p-value=0.005. The total number of prescribed Anti-diabetic medications was higher in presently Hyperglycemic patients under Anti-diabetic Therapy compared to presently Normoglycemic patients under Anti-diabetic Therapy. A weak positive correlation was found between family income per capita and total cost of treatment. Conclusion: The total cost of treatment in presently Hyperglycemic patients under Anti-diabetic Therapy is relatively high due to prescription of more number of Anti-diabetic Medications. Metformin is the most common Anti-diabetic agent used in clinical practice and oral route of Drug Administration is mostly preferred in the OPD settings.
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@#Introduction: Benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) are among the most frequently used psychotropic medications worldwide. We aim to understand the pattern of prescription of BZRA in the government healthcare facilities and identify factors affecting the likelihood of BZRA prescription and duration of use. Method: This is a retrospective study. Data was obtained from record of outpatient clinical notes. Medications studied were midazolam, alprazolam, lorazepam, bromazepam, clonazepam, diazepam and zolpidem. Mean duration per prescription, mean dosage per prescription and duration per patient per year were calculated for each sedative hypnotic. The likelihood of factors affecting duration of prescription were also analysed. Results: The prevalence of sedative hypnotic use in psychiatry outpatient clinic was 12.16%. Clonazepam was found to have the longest duration per patient per year (306.5 days). Insomnia and anxiety are the two most common reasons for sedative hypnotic prescription. Factors found to affect duration of prescription were unemployment, borderline personality disorder, alcohol and substance use disorders. Conclusion: Implementation of effective monitoring system on sedative hypnotic prescribing and increase use of non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia and anxiety are necessary to curb prolonged use of sedative hypnotic.
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Background: Upper respiratory tract infections are mostly caused by viruses and are self-limiting. But it is seen that drug therapy is restored to many of them without adequate justifications. Sometimes multiple drug therapy imposes high cost burden on patients. Use of antibiotics in URTI patients have led to rise in bacterial resistance. So, this study was aimed to analyse the prescription pattern in upper respiratory tract infections and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated organisms.Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital for a period of three months. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria sixty patients were selected. Prescriptions of these patients were collected and analysed for the various WHO prescription indicators like average number of drugs per encounter, percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names, percentage of drugs prescribed as injection, drugs form the essential drug list etc. The swabs were collected from the site of infections and were analysed for the bacterial growth. Also, the antibiotic susceptibility of these organisms was tested.Results: A total of sixty prescriptions were collected and analysed. The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.21. Antimicrobials were prescribed in 90% of cases. Approximately 50% cases the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was prescribed. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names was 87% and 68% drugs were form the essential drug list. The culture report of the specimen collected from the swabs showed that only 50% of cases were of some bacterial origin. And the organisms isolated were less susceptible to the antibiotics that were prescribed.Conclusions: This study of prescribing patterns in patients gives appropriate feedback and awareness among health care providers. Rationale prescribing practice will prevent antibiotic resistance and reduction in the adverse drug reactions.
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Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder which affects about 0.5% to 1% of the population. The older antiepileptic drugs like carbamazepine and phenytoin are the mainstay of treatment of epilepsy. With the development of newer drugs for various type of epilepsy, the prescribing pattern for epilepsy has changed over the last decade. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prescription pattern of antiepileptic drugs in outpatient department of a tertiary care health care centre in Kerala and to assess how adherent they are to the available treatment guidelines of epilepsy.Methods: Data was collected from patients attending the outpatient department of Neurology in Government Medical College, Kozhikode for 2 months from January 2018 to February 2018. A total of 442 patients were enrolled in the study and data regarding the type of epilepsy, the antiepileptic drug prescribed, and the demographic profile were recorded and analysed.Results: Among the study participants, 237 were males (53.6%) and 205 females (46.2%). The study showed that among the 442 participants enrolled, the most common type of epilepsy was focal seizures (64.5%) and the most commonly prescribed drug was carbamazepine (28%), followed by levetiracetam (22%) and valproate (20%). Majority of the patients were treated with a single drug (79.2%).Conclusions: Newer drugs have been increasingly added to the list of antiepileptic drugs, but most of them serve as adjuvant to older ones and the important drugs used as monotherapy are still the older ones.
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Background: Stroke, as a one of the leading causes of mortality and disability, is also very preventable and curable disease. Pharmacotherapy plays an important role in prevention of first-ever stroke as well as secondary cerebrovascular accident. We aimed to evaluate the prescription pattern in cases of ischemic stroke and to check whether rationale prescription of drugs in ischemic stroke patients is being followed in our hospital.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in inpatient department of general medicine in government general hospital, Kakinada for a period of six months from April to September 2018. A total of 306 prescriptions of ischemic stroke were selected randomly and prescriptions patterns were assessed and analyzed.Results: Out of the 306 cases, 183 were males (59.80%) and 123 were female (40.19%). Aspirin was given in 88.23% of the patients, Atorvastatin in 97.05%, Clopidogrel in 24.50%, antihypertensives in 67.64%, B complex in 88.23%, Pantoprazole in 85.29% of the patients. Physiotherapy was advised in 47.05% of the patients. Among anti hypertensives, Amlodipine was given in 73.91% patients.Conclusions: Anti hypertensives, lipid lowering agents like Atorvastatin along with anti-platelet drugs like Aspirin and Clopidogrel were commonly prescribed for ischemic stroke cases for treatment and secondary prevention. Antacids and Multivitamin tablets were given as concomitant drugs. Present study showed a rationale utilization of drugs in ischemic stroke patients.
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Background: Epilepsy is associated with stigma and bad health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) due to this, and side effects of the drug therapy. Newer anti-epileptics are claimed to be better than the conventional. We evaluated this based on comparison of HR-QOL in patients taking the respective therapy.Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, single point study involved 127 consenting patients from Neurology OPD at V.S. General Hospital. Quality of life in epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10) questionnaire was used to measure HR-QOL in patients. SPSS software and Graphpad prism were used to analyze the variables.Results: Patients of 20-30 age group were commonly affected (37.80%) with a male predominance (56.69%). 41.73% were unemployed. The difference in HR-QOL between patients and controls in all three domains (epilepsy effects, mental effects, role function domains) of QOLIE-10 was significant (p=0.0002), indicating better HR-QOL in controls. The worst HR-QOL scores were found in Epilepsy effects domain. Metabolic adverse effects (38.58%) were the common ADRs. Sodium valproate was the most effective in controlling seizures (last seizure episode: 15 months). HR-QOL correlation between patients receiving monotherapy and polytherapy was significant (p=0.026) with monotherapy rendering a better HR-QOL. Comparison of HR-QOL between patients taking the conventional and the newer drugs was not significant (p=0.1768).Conclusions: Our study nullifies the claims that newer drugs are better than the conventional since no such benefit was seen in HR-QOL as well as ADRs. Our findings ruled out the belief that cases of epilepsy are better controlled with polytherapy.
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Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease requiring long term treatment. For an effective control of asthma symptoms background knowledge of the prescribing pattern of anti-asthmatic drugs is a must.Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine OPD, King George's Medical University, Lucknow. 114 patients of asthma were recruited for the study. A case report form was filled from patient’s prescription containing the demographic details of the patients, presenting complaints, investigations and drugs prescribed along with their dose, duration, frequency, route of administration.Results: 114 patients’ prescriptions were assessed which showed average number of drugs per prescription - 3.22. 42.8% and 50% of the drugs were prescribed in accordance with World Health Organization model list of essential medicines and National list of essential medicines. Short acting ?2 agonist (salbutamol), 61.4% was the most commonly and frequently prescribed single anti asthmatic drug. Combination of inhaled corticosteroid and long acting ?2 agonist, 86.8% was the most commonly prescribed fixed dose combination anti asthmatic drug. Inhalational route (75%) was the most preferred one over oral route (25%).Conclusions: Asthma being a chronic disease requires prolonged treatment which imposes economic burden on the patients. Judicious prescription of drugs not only improves the patient clinically but also removes the unnecessary burden. Data obtained from these studies can be used as a guide to make future decisions regarding standard prescription.
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Background: Anemia is a major health problem that affects 25% to 50% of the population of the world and approximately 50% of pregnant women. This research on the use of prescription medicines in anemia during pregnancy remains critically important. Prescribing patterns of the drug in the pregnant women include age, trimester, gravid condition, US-FDA risk category, WHO core indicators.Methods: A prospective, cross sectional observational multicentric study was conducted in outpatient and inpatient departments of Indira Gandhi Hospital and Civil Hospital in Nasik, for period of 6 months. Ethical approval was taken prior to study from Independent ethics committee. A total of 197 patients were enrolled in the study. Inform consent form was obtained from the patients. After studying them; statistical analysis were done and result and conclusion were drawn.Results: Out of 197 women抯 prescriptions, the average number of drug per prescription was 2.14. 27.28% drugs were prescribed there brand name and 72.72% by generic name. Iron, folic acid and calcium were prescribed to all pregnant women. The majority of the patients were prescribed category A and category C drugs. No patients were given category X drug.Conclusions: Nearly all prescription showed a prescribing practice for writing prophylactic iron and folic acid therapy in all pregnant women. No women was prescribed category X drug. Most of the drug prescribed in generics and thus, prescription pattern of our study set a fine example of prescribing behaviour.
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Background: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prescription pattern of anti-hypertensive drugs and adherence to Beers’ criteria in geriatric department of JSS Hospital, Mysuru.Methods: An observational, prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out in geriatric department. The basic demographic information and prescriptions of geriatric patients were studied. Descriptive analysis was used to present the results, prescriptions were analysed and checked for adherence to Beers’ criteria.Results: Out of 485 patients, 82.68% received monotherapy, 15.87% received 2-drug combination therapy and 1.4% received 3-drug combination therapy. Among patients receiving monotherapy, angiotensin receptor blockers (49.06%) was the commonest antihypertensive class of drug prescribed. Telmisartan (38.96%) was the commonest drug prescribed. Among 2-drug combination therapy angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and Calcium channel blockers were combined commonly. In 3-drug combination therapy angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, beta blockers and diuretics were combined commonly. 99.3% of prescriptions were adhered to 2015 American Geriatrics Society Beers criteria.Conclusions: Almost 82% of the patients were treated with monotherapy. The trends in prescribing of anti-hypertensives were in favor of conventional ones such as Angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, beta blockers and centrally acting alpha agonists. 99.3% of prescriptions were in accordance with the American Geriatrics Society 2015 Updated Beers criteria.
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Background: The pattern of prescribing anti-diabetic drugs varies among different medical professionals due to the availability of numerous anti-diabetic drugs and demographic and have increasingly favoured for tighter control of glycemic index. Even with the available multiple therapies many patients are not in control. The reasons may be multi factorial and the one important factor is the drugs prescribed.Methods: This cross-sectional study involving 140 type 2 adult diabetes patients was done to assess the pattern of anti-diabetic drugs prescribed by the postgraduate students in a tertiary health care center using a specially designed questionnaire.Results: Oral medications were predominantly prescribed. Metformin and Glimepiride combination was prescribed in majority. Among insulin, combination of short and intermediate acting insulin was prescribed more and the number of insulin prescription increased with the duration of diabetes. Interestingly no newer classes of drugs are prescribed.Conclusions: There is a rational prescription pattern of antidiabetic drugs but newer antidiabetic drugs are not prescribed and life style changes are not discussed with the patients. There is a need to include life style changes as a part of prescription to all the patients.
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Background: Hypertension is a public health problem worldwide. Elevated systolic blood pressure ?140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ?90 mmHg are defined as Hypertension. The choice of an antihypertensive drug is based on its efficacy, side-effects, effects on other systems and cost. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs in a private health care centre.Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out in the out-patient department of a private health care centre, Chennai from November 2018 to December 2018.Results: In the present study, 104 prescriptions were selected based on the inclusion criteria. In which 62 (59.61%) were males and 42 (40.38%) were females. Prescriptions belonging to age group of <40 years were 11 (10.57%), 40–59 years were 48 (46.15%) and >60 years were 45 (43.26%). Monotherapy was received by 62 hypertensive patients and as combination therapy by 42 patients.Conclusions: Even though the prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs in this study complied with the recommended guidelines, clinicians should always be vigilant and consider change of regimen whenever necessary.
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Objective: The study aimed to describe the prescription pattern of cardiovascular and/or anti-diabetic drugs and adherence to the World Health Organization (WHO) prescribing indicators in Abuja District Hospitals. Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was carried out in Asokoro and Maitama District Hospitals Abuja. One thousand and nine prescriptions that contained a cardiovascular drug (CVD) and/or anti-diabetic drug issued between June 2017 and May 2018 from the Medical Outpatient Department were analyzed. Data were collected from the pharmacy electronic database, prescription pattern and adherence to WHO prescribing indicators were assessed. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Results were presented as percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: The frequency of treatment was higher among women (58.8%) and the age group of 41–60 (54.8%). The average number of drugs prescribed was 3.3±1.6: the percentage of drugs prescribed in generic was (64%) and (78.8%) were from the Essential Drug List (EDL). Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB, 71.7%) and Biguanides (B, 92.4%) were the most prescribed CVD and anti-diabetic drug. The majority of the CVD (74.5%) and diabetes (63.6%) patients were on combination therapy. The most frequent CVD combination was CCB plus Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (29.7%). Compared to men, the proportion of females taking one or more CVD (61.3%) or antidiabetic (56.4%) was higher. Conclusion: The prescribing indicators are not optimal in Abuja district hospitals. Women received more treatment for cardiovascular and diabetes diseases than men while the age range of 41-60 was more treated than other age groups.