PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF DRUGS IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious public health concern in the twenty-rst century, and its incidence, morbidity, and death rates have posed a challenge to the healthcare system. Cigarette smoking and occupational exposure are the two main causes of COPD. So, in this retrospective study, an attempt was made to compare the present prescribing pattern in a tertiary care facility in Nagapattinam to WHO prescribing indicators to check if the prescription pattern followed WHO standards. Materials And Methods: During the six months from April to September 2021, a retrospective study was conducted using case les from 80 subjects in the department of General Medicine. The following socio-demographic data, social history, comorbid conditions, route of administration, smoking history, and distribution of prescribed COPD treatments were collected. The age Results: group of 61–70 years had the highest proportion of patients (37.5%), followed by 51–60 years (23.7%), 71–80 years (16.25%), 41–50 years (11%), and 31–40 years (10%), and the age group of 20–30 years had the lowest rate (1.20%). In a study of 80 subjects prescription, smoking history was found in 66.25 % of men and 2.5% of women. Comorbidities affect 71.25% of people, while the percentage of people who do not have comorbidities is 28.7%. A total of 619 medicines were prescribed in the 80 prescriptions. Bronchodilators (36.1%) were the most commonly given classes of medications, followed by antibiotics (25.8%), corticosteroids (18.7%). Leukotriene antagonists were the least commonly prescribed medication class (0.80%). Utilizing the WH Conclusion: O's core prescribing indicators for this COPD patients will strengthen the current hospital prescribing policies Clinical Pharmacists as drug therapy managers can play an excellent role in optimizing the drug therapy regimens supporting other health care professionals.