Drug utilization study in the Otorhinolaryngology department in a tertiary care teaching hospital in coastal Karnataka

Abstract

Drug utilization study is a powerful tool to evaluate the rational drug use practices by monitoring the prescribing pattern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the drug utilization pattern based on WHO core prescribing indicators in the E.N.T out patient department in a tertiary care teaching hospital. A prospective observational study was carried out in this department for 6 months by studying 500 prescriptions of patients who were chosen through simple random sampling. Details of the prescription along with sociodemographic details of the patients were recorded in a proforma and then analysed after entering them in Microsoft excel sheet. Majority of patients were male belonging to age group of 31-50 years. Maximum number of patients came with ear complaints. The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 2.5. Percentage of prescription with antibiotics prescribed was 25 %. About 95% of drugs were prescribed from essential drug list. Most commonly prescribed group of drugs was antihistamines followed by NSAIDs. Among antibiotics ?- lactam group was most prescribed followed by azithromycin and levofloxacin. Among ?- lactam antibiotics, most commonly prescribed was Amoxicillin –Clavulanic acid combination followed by Cefpodoxime and cefixime. All the drugs prescribed were in their brand name. The average cost for treatment per day was Rs 62.5. Most of the study findings were on par with WHO recommended ranges. Prescription by brand name is the only area of concern. More studies are required including large number of patients and departments.