Original research paper a study of rational use of drugs among the ophthalmic-in-patients of a government teaching hospital in view of forensic pharmacology.

Inappropriate, irrational and cost-ineffective practices of pharmaceuticals are worldwide phenomena. A retrospective study was conducted among the Ophthalmic-in-patients to investigate the nature of utilization of drugs in respect of rationality correlating the clinical and forensic pharmacology. Prescriptions in the Bed Head Tickets were the study samples which were analyzed according to the WHO/INRUD Indicators. Incurred cost per day per prescription was calculated. Commonly prescribed drugs were also studied. Result revealed that proportion of drugs from Essential Medicines List (EML) was 51.62%, while 54.05% was prescribed by generic names. Most commonly prescribed drugs were antibiotics (100%), analgesic-anti-inflammatory agents (100%) and mydriatic-cycloplegic agents (91.98%). Average number of drugs per prescription was 4.03±1.5 and average cost per day per prescription was 99.22 INR (Indian Rupees). Injectables were prescribed in 97.36% cases, and 10.81% of total drugs (37) prescribed. Prescribing practices were not always in accordance with the WHO criteria for rational use of drugs. It is suggested that there is a felt need to provide more inputs to the Ophthalmologists to promote rational use of drugs.