Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON EXTENT OF POLYPHARMACY LEADING TO ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN GERIATRICS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Divya Mol E. C.*, Blessy Maria Thomas, Jagat Kumar Tamang, Cyril Tom, Basavaraj K. Nanjwade

ABSTRACT

Background: Polypharmacy refers to the consequences of multiple medications concurrently to manage co-existing health problems by an individual. Geriatrics is more prone to polypharmacy due to impaired an adaptive and homeostatic mechanism Objective: To study the extent of polypharmacy in geriatrics in different departments of The Oxford Medical College and Research Centre, Bangalore. To assess whether the prescribing of drugs is in accordance with WHO model list of essential medicine and Beer’s list and also about the occurrence of ADR. Methods: The patient information was collected from the patient case files and directly from the patients, by considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria for a period of six months. The obtained 150 patient information has been evaluated for the occurrence of polypharmacy in different wards of the hospital. The drugs prescribed by generic name, drugs prescribed from WHO Model List of essential Medicines and Beer’s list were analysed. ADR was also found out. Results: In the study period of 6 months 150 cases were collected. The incidence of polypharmacy was found to be 64%. The number of drugs prescribed from the WHO Model list was found to be 317(41.06 %) and from Beer’s list was found to be 9(1.16%).The occurrence of adverse drug reactions adverse drug reactions was found to be 12(12.5%). Conclusion: The present practise in hospitals is associated with polypharmacy and inappropriate use of medication in geriatrics. It indicates the necessity for improving the awareness of physicians about prescribing in elderly. There is a scope for improvement in prescribing by generic name, opting drugs from WHO essential drug list and avoiding drugs from the Beer’s list. Establishment of therapeutic guidelines for prescribing in elderly, regular medication chart interview will help in reducing polypharmacy and to avoid further complications.

Keywords: Polypharmacy, WHO Model List of essential Medicines, Beer’s list, ADR.