Abstract

STUDY OF DRUG UTILISATION PATTERN IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

M. Mona Sree, Nikita Das, Jakkala Gayathri, S. Nidhi, Dr. Jarupala Gangadhar Naik and Dr. Are. Jayasri*

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Abstract

Disorders related to obstetrics and gynaecology are increasing, and the use of drugs is inevitable. Because of this, irrationality can occur using inappropriate prescribing, not enquiring about past medical and medication history, OTC medications, and polypharmacy. Drug utilisation study facilitates ADR minimisation and optimisation of health care resources. This prospective observational study aims to assess and understand the drug utilisation pattern in a tertiary care hospital using WHO core prescribing indicators. A total of 160 cases were enrolled over six months of the time. In pregnancy, general checkups were standard, and hypothyroidism was common in gynaecology. A total of 351 drugs were prescribed, including minerals and vitamins are majorly prescribed. The percentage of drugs from EDL was 80.9%, less than WHO standards. Antibiotics prescribed was 15.38%, which is within the limit; drugs by generic name were 28.49%, very much less than the standard, and the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.19%, which is higher than the standard, indicating the trend of polypharmacy. Most of the drugs were from the essential drug list of the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). Overall, the drug use pattern was found to be rational, with few exceptions of polypharmacy.

Keywords: Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Drug Utilisation, OTC Medications, NLEM and FDA Category, ADR.