Abstract

DRUG UTILIZATION EVALUATION AND PRESCRIPTION ANALYSIS ACNE VULGARIS IN A DERMATOLOGIC DEPARTMENT: A CONCURRENT OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Dr. Raj Patel*, Dr. Margi Gajjar, Dr. Ishangi Patel, Dr. Sangatit Patel and Dr. Janvi Patel

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Abstract

Background: Skin constitutes the largest organ of the human body accounting for about 15% of the body. Healthy and attractive skin plays an important role in people’s self-esteem. Acne vulgaris is the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition which lasts for many years. Treatment and compliance with regimen are essential elements in overall effectiveness of therapy. Since oral and topical agents are important for treatment of acne vulgaris, periodic auditing of prescription is necessary to increase the therapeutic benefit and improve compliance. Aims and objectives: To assess drug usage of Acne vulgaris as a tool for ensuring rational drug therapy by using WHO core prescribing indicators. Methodology: A concurrent observational study was performed on patients of either gender treated for Acne Vulgaris at out-patients visiting dermatology department of Dr Sohana’s Skin and Laser Clinic, Nadiad after the approval of ethics committee. Drug utilization evaluation was performed using WHO core prescribing indicators. Results: 152 patients were involved in this study. The drug utilization study showed that female patients (63%) visiting the dermatologic clinic were more as compared to male patients. Most of the patients were in the age group of 21 to 30 years which constitute about 57.89%. Amongst all the Grades of Acne Vulgaris, Grade 2 Acne was found in highest proportion (51%). Most of Anti- acne agents were prescribed by topical route (77%.) as compared to oral route (23%). 343(53.93%) drugs were prescribed in the form of lotion/ creams/ gels. Total of 152 patients diagnosed with Acne Vulgaris received 636 drugs out of which there were 90 supportive drugs. Commonly prescribed anti-acne agent by topical route was Clindamycin phosphate in combination with Nicotinamide (13.99%) and 20.13% as a FDCs.198 (31.13%) drugs were prescribed as Monotherapy and 438 drugs (68.68%) as FDCs for Acne Vulgaris. 34.43% of Benzoyl Peroxide was mostly prescribed as Monotherapy for Acne Vulgaris. Commonly prescribed drug in patients with Grade 2 Acne Vulgaris is Clindamycin Phosphate and Nicotinamide numbered 48. Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that average number of drugs per encounter exceeds the optimal value of WHO Standards which indicates practice of polypharmacy. The prescribing pattern must be improved by prescribing drugs by generic name, by reducing the number of drugs per prescription, prescribing a smaller number of antibiotics to reduce bacterial resistance for Acne Vulgaris and prescribing the drugs from National Essential Drug List to encourage evidence-based prescribing.

Keywords: Acne Vulgaris, Drug Utilization Review, Prescription, Dermatology.