Drug utilization study in ophthalmology out patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Janaki Devi C H,Seethalakshmi S,Devaraj S

doi:10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20204501

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the utilization of the drugs in the ophthalmology outpatient department.Methods: Present study was conducted at ESIC medical college & PGIMSR Ophthalmology Department. Total 700 prescriptions were collected from 700 patients and prescriptions were analysed for total and average number drugs per prescription, duration of treatment, dosage form, drug encounter with antibiotics and other group of drugs also percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names.Results: After analysing the prescriptions, average number of drugs per prescription was 2.14 and the range of drugs prescribed were varied from 1-5. Total drugs prescribed were 1502 with 7 different dosage forms. Most commonly prescribed were antibiotics (28.14%) followed by antihistamines (14.28%) and vitamins and minerals (14.28%). Thirdly ocular lubricants were frequently prescribed (12.12%). Fluroquinolones (moxifloxacin) were very commonly prescribed in antibiotics. The common prescription writing errors were very minimal.Conclusions: The present study revealed trend of prescribing practices of the Opthalmologists of the Institute. This study shows less polypharmacy, use of injection was limited and majority of the drugs prescribed in generic and hospital formulary drug list. Antibiotics were prescribed most frequently.

Highlights

WHO has defined drug utilisation has as the marketing, distribution, prescription and use of drugs in a society with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social and economic consequences.[1]
The present study is an observational study which was done in Department of Pharmacology at ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR in collaboration with the Department of Ophthalmology at ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR
WHO has suggested five core prescribing indicators to evaluate the rationality of drug use (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

WHO has defined drug utilisation has as the marketing, distribution, prescription and use of drugs in a society with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social and economic consequences.[1] Management of ocular diseases has large impact in the prevention of vision loss. Appropriate management of certain diseases will reduce the burden of vision loss These studies are essential part of pharmacoepidemiology which describes the nature and determinants of drug exposure with ultimate goal of rational use of drugs for the patients.[2,3,4,5] The present availability of new therapeutic agents with unaffordable price and varied pattern of prescriptions, concern over adverse drug reactions and increased price of drugs shows the importance of drug utilisation studies.[6,7] To improve overall usage of drugs in developing countries, WHO has given standard drug use indicators[8].

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