RESUMEN
Background: Promotion of drugs by pharmaceutical industries is fully regulated by drug regulators. Doctors are focus of intense marketing by representatives of pharmaceutical companies (MR). It is reported that very few physicians are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to critically assess the information delivered in drug promotional literature (DPL). Hence this study was carried out with the objective to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of doctors about the DPL Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study population included clinicians working in a government set up and others doing private practice. Questionnaire was circulated online on social media platforms via Google forms. Results: The 32.11% participants were aware of regulations and guidelines of DPL in India 80.7% participants searched for cost of medicine on DPL, 54.12% respondents perceive that the product claims made on DPL are balanced and supported by good evidence, 56.88% participants opined that their integrity is compromised by accepting gift from MR, 43.1% participants are exposed to drug advertisement through social media and 51.06% of them opined that their prescribing habits are influenced through this. Writing brand names while prescribing is significantly more in private practitioners as compared to doctors employed in government set up. Conclusions: DPL serves to update the knowledge of the busy clinicians of the latest developments in the medical field. Quality check of drug promotion on social media is the need of the hour as this is influential. Private practitioners need to be addressed regarding enforced laws for rational prescribing.
RESUMEN
Background: Studies on antidiabetic drug utilization are important for the optimization of drug therapy and rational prescription of drugs. The aim of the present study was to understand the trends in prescription pattern of oral anti-diabetic drugs among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients attending medicine outpatient department of tertiary care hospital of Western Maharashtra. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Medicine OPD of Government Medical College and Hospital, Miraj. All adult patients (?18 years) diagnosed with T2DM and willing to give informed consent to participate in the study, were enrolled. The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee. The data was computed using MS excel and results were expressed as counts and percentages. Results: Out of 72 T2DM patients enrolled, male population (58.33%) had higher prevalence than females (41.67%). Biguanides (63.16%) were the most commonly prescribed class of oral antidiabetic drugs followed by sulfonylureas (35.09%). Metformin (63.16%) was the most commonly prescribed oral antidiabetic drug followed by glimepiride (30.70%). Combination of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) were prescribed in 52.78% and 47.22% patients were prescribed single drug. ‘Metformin and glimepiride’ was the most commonly prescribed combination. Conclusions: In a chronic disease like diabetes mellitus, constant follow up for successful management is a must. It also demands active participation by the patients. Continuing education for the clinicians to keep themselves abreast of the latest development will also contribute in the effective management of diabetes mellitus and rational prescription of antidiabetic drugs.