A Retrospective Study to Analyze Prescription Pattern and Cost of Anti-Malarial Drugs in Indoor Malaria Patients at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital -

Abstract

Background:To analyze prescription pattern of drugs and its cost in indoor malaria patients in year 2013-14 at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods:It was a record based, retrospective, observational study carried out in PDU Medical College Rajkot Gujarat, in which prescription pattern of drugs and cost of the therapy of indoor malaria patients of the year 2013-14 were analyzed. Results:Out of 100 patients, 59 were infected with Plasmodium falciparum (59%) and 38 withPlasmodium vivax (38%). Most of the complicated cases were found from Plasmodium falciparum (n = 29) than Plasmodium vivax (n = 2). In prescriptions, total 2238 drugs were prescribed to treat 100 cases out of which 69 were successfully treated.67.42% of the drugs were prescribed by parenteral route (n =1509).The average number of drugs per encounter was 6.11.Total 432 antimalarial and 259 antimicrobials drugs were used in this study. 59.02% of drugs were prescribed by generic name (n =1322). 8.40% of drugs were prescribed from outside (n = 188).Majority of the drugs (96.20%) were from EML. Average drug cost to treat complicated P. falciparum case (485.68 INR) was found to be higher than uncomplicated P. falciparum (297.35 INR). Same applies in case of P. vivax. Conclusion:This study showed that there was irrational use of anti-malarial drugs and the treatment guidelines given by NVBDCP, India were not being followed. This caused increase in cost of treatment and in long term this may even contribute to drug resistance. Interventions are necessary to improve rational drug use in our facility. Key words:Malaria, Prescription pattern, Cost