Drug utilization pattern in geriatric inpatients of medicine department in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

ABSTRACT

Background: The objective of present study was to assess the drug utilization pattern among the geriatric patients. Methods: Totally, 150 prescriptions of patients’ ≥65 years admitted in the medicine inpatient department of MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Hoskote were noted from September 2013 to March 2014 and demographic profile, drug utilization pattern, commonly used drugs as per anatomical therapeutic chemical classification (ATC) and WHO core indicators were assessed after taking informed consent from the patients. Results: Out of 150 patients, average age of geriatric patients was 66.83 years with female preponderance (59%). Maximum number of patients were having respiratory disorders (66.67%) followed by diabetes mellitus (35.3%), and cardiovascular diseases (32.67%). 76% patients had co-morbid diseases like diabetes mellitus (n=53), hypertension (n=49), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=41). A total of 849 drug formulations, containing 1050 active ingredients, were prescribed with average number of 7 (1050/150) drugs per prescription. Only 70 formulations were prescribed by their generic names, which is less than that prescribed by their brand names 779 and total of 146 (17.19%) drugs were prescribed as fixed dose combinations. Only 45.47% drugs were according to WHO Essential Medicines List. Drugs acting on respiratory system (n=189) were the most commonly used drugs in our study followed by drugs acting on the gastrointestinal system (n=130), antimicrobials (n=113), cardiovascular system (n=112), endocrine (n=83), and nutritional supplements (n=72). Polypharmacy was prevalent in 62% and about 22.67% of patients received <5 drugs. Pantoprazole was most frequently prescribed drug followed by aspirin 75 mg, adrenergic, and anticholinergic bronchodilators. Conclusion: Thus, irrational prescribing and polypharmacy were prevalent among elderly. Drug utilization data can help in assessing the quality of care given to the geriatric patients and promote rational use of medicines.