ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern of drug utilization with special focus on the use of antimicrobials. METHODS: Single day hospital-wide point prevalence survey was conducted to assess drug utilization pattern. Information regarding age, gender, occupation, income group, diagnosis, patient’s present/past medical history, treatment, any adverse drug reactions, and investigations were recorded in a proforma. Drug utilization pattern was evaluated using quality indicators of drug use recommended by WHO. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were included, 62% male and 38% female. Maximum number of patients was admitted for infectious diseases (34%). Pantoprazole was most commonly prescribed drug & ceftriaxone was most commonly prescribed antibiotic. The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 4.87. Oral route was the most preferred route. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 42.44%. Percentage of drugs prescribed from essential medical list was 49.33%. Multivitamins & non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) were most commonly prescribed fixed dose combination in our study. CONCLUSION: Majority of drugs were prescribed by oral route. Essential medical list and updated guidelines were available in the hospital. Poly-pharmacy, over use of proton-pump inhibitors & multivitamins was areas of concern. Prolonged and irrational use of antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis was noted in surgical indoor patients. There was underutilization of microbiological facilities.
ABSTRACT
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a slowly progressive, immunologically mediated disease of the CNS. The recent years have witnessed great efforts in establishing new therapeutic options for multiple sclerosis. There is a clear need for more effective, safe and at the same time orally available treatment options. Here we review the recently approved drug Dimethyl fumarate (DMF, Tecfidera®) as a new therapeutic option for MS and its role in context to the existing oral treatment options for MS. Dimethyl fumarate is the methyl ester of fumaric acid and has been claimed to possess immunomodulatory properties and is already in clinical use as Fumaderm for severe systemic psoriasis. In addition, Dimethyl fumarate was also shown to act on the blood-brain barrier and exert neuroprotective properties via activation of anti-oxidative pathways and displayed beneficial effects in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model mimicking many aspects of MS. Based on two global phase III studies. Dimethyl fumarate has been clinically proven to significantly reduce important measures of disease activity, including relapses and development of brain lesions, as well as to slow disability progression over time, while demonstrating a favourable safety and tolerability profile.