Abstract

A STUDY ON RATIONAL USE OF DRUGS USING WHO- INRUD PRESCRIBING INDICATORS IN DERMATOLOGY OPD IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Teny Prakash*, Anju Mary Scaria, Raichel Johnson, Ameera A., Nithin Manohar R., Jomin George Joseph, and Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Background: The skin is a large and visible organ which is in direct contact with the outside environment, it has been possible to observe and describe a vast range of disease reaction patterns affecting the skin, hair and nails. Dermatology involves the study, research, diagnosis, and management of any health conditions that may affect the skin, fat hair, nails, and membranes. Rational medication prescribing states that, fewest medications can be to used achieve the therapeutic goals as determined by physician and patients. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the rational use of drugs used in dermatology department using WHO – INRUD Prescribing Indicators. Materials and Methods: It is a hospital based retrospective (observational) study conducted in the department of dermatology in which the demographic details, information related to the drug treatment of the sample population are collected and analyzed. Results: Prescription analysis of drugs used in the dermatology department was conducted with 100 samples and results were obtained. In the study, out of the total drugs prescribed, average drugs per prescription was 1.79. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 19.85%. Percentage of encounters with antibiotics prescribed was 20.11%, whereas as percentage of encounters with an injection prescribed was 2.70%. Percentage of drugs prescribed from national essential drug list was 52.5%. Conclusion: The average number of drugs per prescription was higher and the percentage of prescription with an antibiotic prescribed is optimal according to WHO guidelines. This study reveals that generic prescription was low and suggests that efforts must be made to encourage prescribers for generic prescribing which have a multitude of benefits including cost effectiveness. The percentage of antibiotic prescribed was according to WHO standard guidelines. Promoting „WHO rational drug use policy‟ is further recommended for effective healthcare management.

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