Abstract

DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN IN ELDERLY INPATIENTS OF MEDICINE DEPARTMENT AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Dr. Akanksha Mathur* and Dr. Prashant C. Shah

ABSTRACT

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the prescribing pattern and cost of drug therapy in elderly inpatients at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: A prospective observational study involving 302 elderly patients (>60 years) of medicine wards was conducted from October 2015 to March 2016. Relevant information was recorded in a predesigned proforma and data was analysed in terms of WHO core prescribing indicators using descriptive statistics. Cost of drug therapy was calculated to assess the economic burden. Results: The diseases involving central nervous system (32.78%) were the most common indications for admission. Vitamins and minerals (20.53%), anti ulcer agents (10.70%), anti emetics (9.78%) were commonly utilized drug groups. Average number of drugs per patient was 10.07 ± 3.38. Percentage of antibiotics and injectables prescribed were 63.57% and 92.71% respectively. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 59% and from National List Of Essential Medicines 2015 was 96.35%. Average cost of drug therapy was Rs.478.90 (95% CI: 431.41-526.40) of which 14.37% was shared by the patients. Conclusion: The study revealed that the prescribing practices were fairly in norm with WHO core prescribing indicators as it showed good adherence to National List Of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2015 and high generic prescribing yet there is scope for improvisation. It also gives an insight in designing hospital formulary so as to further decrease the economic burden on patients.

Keywords: Prescribing practices, polypharmacy, pharmacoeconomics, geriatric.