摘要
Background: Drug utilization studies are an important part of rational use of drugs. Assessment of drug use pattern especially in developing countries is becoming increasingly necessary to promote the rational use of drugs. This study was planned to prospectively assess the drug utilization pattern in Ophthalmology outpatient department at KBN teaching and General hospital.Methods: After approval from Ethics Committee, the prescriptions of 1000 outpatients were analyzed using a predesigned form to record information from the OPD prescriptions. Mentioned WHO drug use indicators and additional indices were analyzed: Average number of drugs per prescription, number of encounters with antibiotics, percentage of encounters with injections, percentage of drugs prescribed by their generic names, percentage of drugs prescribed from the National Essential Drug List (NEDL), etc.Results: Prescription analysis showed that the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.6. The drugs were prescribed in the several forms, predominant dosage form been topical eye drops (69.58%) followed by tablets (11.98%), ointments (10.17%) and capsules (6.6%). The 慸osage form� was indicated for all of the drugs prescribed, the 慺requency� of drug administration was present in 96.5% of the drugs, and the duration of treatment for 82% of the drugs prescribed. Topical Antimicrobial agents were the most commonly prescribed drugs. followed by anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic, lubricants, anti-glaucoma drugs, etc. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name and from NEDL was 7.98% and 55 % respectively.Conclusions: The prescription writing errors were less, however, there was very low generic prescribing and inadequate information about the duration of therapy in many prescriptions. Generic prescribing can be improved. Duration of therapy should be mentioned in all prescriptions. It is essential that appropriate guidelines on the use of topical antimicrobials are required to ensure rational prescribing.
摘要
Background: There is increased concern regarding the inappropriate use of antimicrobials resulting in emergence of resistant strains, unnecessary adverse effects and poor therapeutic outcome. This present study has been taken up with a view to analyze the use of various antimicrobial agents alone and/or in combination to combat diseases of infective origin in a proposed manner.Methods: This was a prospective study carried out for a period of 1 year from January 2011 to December 2011. The prescriptions of all eligible patients were reviewed on daily basis and all the relevant data were retrieved to assess the utilization pattern of antimicrobials and also their safety and potential interactions.Results: A total of 500 patients were selected randomly who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of the total selected patients with infectious diseases, 493 patients (98.6%) received one or more antimicrobials. Use of antimicrobials was high in the age group of �months to 3 years�, 憆ural patients� constituted 62% and were mostly from 慙ower Socio-economic status� (46%). Respiratory diseases constituted 38% of the patients. Fever was the notable symptom in 68.4%. Cephalosporins (48.6%) were the most frequently prescribed class of antimicrobials. Combination of 慞arenteral therapy followed by oral therapy� was the preferred route in 92%, and a combination of two antimicrobials was seen in 34.4%. Majority of the patients (81%) were discharged on advice and most of the patients (37.6%) had duration of stay of 7-9 days. 25.8% reported 慉dverse Drug Reactions� including predictable and unpredictable reactions.Conclusions: Antimicrobial prescribing is common in pediatric infectious diseases. As inappropriate usage of systemic antimicrobials was observed, it is essential that appropriate guidelines on the use of systemic antimicrobials are implanted to ensure rational prescribing of antimicrobials.