Drug utilization study of antihypertensives in obstetric practice in a tertiary care hospital.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To evaluate the drug utilization of antihypertensive in obstetric practice two tertiary care hospitals in Gulbarga city. Material & Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 years in obstetric departments of Government General Hospital and Sangameshwar Teaching Hospital, Gulbarga. W.H.O. basic drug indicators were used for studying the prescribing trends and interviewing the patients. Results: A total of 200 prescriptions were studied and the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.47. 1.89% of generics and 49.59% of essential drugs were prescribed. 98.15% were non generic names used. The average consulting time given per patient was 9 mins 8 secs. 69.5% of the patients knew their dosage schedule and this was related to their education status. 13% were irrational prescription. The frequency of use of Nifedipine was highest followed by Benzathiazide + Triamterene, Amlodipine, Furosemide, Methyldopa and Spiranolactone etc. The use of the safest drug, Methyldopa was among only 4% of patients. 66.28% of prescribes drugs were available in hospital pharmacy. Conclusion: The incidence of poly pharmacy was high. Patient compliance is good only among educated patients. Irrational prescriptions were few. The availability of drugs in the hospitals was not satisfactory. The present healthcare can be improved by advocating rational drug prescribing patient education and improving the facilities in the hospitals.