ASSESSMENT OF DRUG UTILIZATION PRACTICE USING WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION INDICATORS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
WHO Indicators, prescribing, rational use of drugs
Abstract
Objectives: The irrational use of drugs poses a significant challenge worldwide that must be urgently addressed. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly half of all medications are improperly prescribed, which can harm patients and increase healthcare costs. This study evaluates drug prescribing patterns in the Medicine Outpatient Department of a tertiary care teaching hospital, based on WHO guidelines. Hence, this study was conducted to improve patient safety and health outcomes.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that analyzed drug prescribing patterns and evaluated prescription completeness using key parameters from the WHO's core drug use guidelines.
Results: The highest number of prescriptions was observed in the 45-54 age group, accounting for a maximum percentage (31.77%). Out of 384 prescriptions, an average of 2.38 drugs were prescribed per prescription. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was low (9.64%). A notable 39.06% of the prescriptions were found to contain antibiotics, highlighting a significant overuse of antibiotics. However, Injection use (6.25%) of the encounters, a total of 651 drugs were used from the essential drug list. Most commonly prescribed drugs were for the gastrointestinal disorder.
Conclusion: The current study highlights a trend in inappropriate prescribing, particularly the overuse of antibiotics and the underutilization of generic drugs. Implementing an effective intervention program is crucial to encouraging healthcare providers to adopt more responsible prescribing practices.
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Irfan Ahmad Khan
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Dr KNS Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dibyadeb Ghosh
Professor & HOD, Department of Pharmacology, Dr KNS Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India
