Patterns of Prescription and Drug Use  in Ophthalmology Out-Patient Department in a Teaching Hospital

Santosh Kumar Banjara; Kavitha Mudavath; Kavitha Devi Bhukya

Volume : III, Issue : IX, September - 2014

Patterns of Prescription and Drug Use in Ophthalmology Out-Patient Department in a Teaching Hospital

Santosh Kumar Banjara, Kavitha Mudavath, Kavitha Devi Bhukya

Abstract :

Background: Drug utilization studies provide a pharmaco-economic basis for making evidence-based health-care decisions. In ophthalmology practice, rational prescribing plays a crucial role in reducing the ocular disease burden. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the drug utilization pattern in ophthalmology out-patient department (OPD) in a teaching hospital. Subjects and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 6 months. The prescriptions for all consecutive patients attending the OPD for the first time (first time encounter) were included and audited using a pre-designed form to record information from the OPD prescription cards of each patient. Statistical analysis: Data analysis was carried out using the descriptive statistical methods: Frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Results: A total of 900 prescriptions were analyzed with the average number of drugs per prescription being 2.4 (0.9). The most common disorders diagnosed were refractive errors (48.3% [435/900]) followed by cataract, glaucoma and others. The frequency of drug administration and duration of treatment was recorded in 92% (828/900) and 81% (729/900) of all prescriptions respectively. Antimicrobials were most commonly prescribed (39.9% [941/2354]) followed by anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic (26% [612/2354]), anti-glaucoma medications (19.9% [470/2354]), mydriatic and cycloplegics (8.4% [198/2354]), miotics (3% [72/2354]), multivitamins (2.6% [61/2354]). Drugs were predominantly prescribed in and name 82% (1932/2354) instead of generic name. Conclusion: The present study revealed certain lacunae in the prescribing practices of the Ophthalmologists of the institute as evidenced by low generic prescribing, inadequate information about frequency of administration and duration of therapy in many prescriptions. This can be addressed through proper sensitization of clinicians in the art of rational prescribing.