Abstract

DRUG USE IN COPD, PRESCRIPTION PATTERNS, AND COST OF MEDICATIONS IN A MULTISPECIALITY TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN INDIA

Bhandari Puja*, Kothiyal Preeti and Sati. Aarti

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease that makes it difficult to empty air out of the lungs. COPD is a term that is used to include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or a combination of both conditions. Aims: The aim of the study was to identify the most prescribed drugs in COPD, their patterns, cost of medications, and laboratory investigations. Settings and Design: This study was a cross‑sectional, descriptive study of COPD patients conducted at a multispeciality tertiary care hospital Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Subjects and Methods: A total of 50 prescriptions were retrieved from the medical records unit over a period of 6 weeks. Information on COPD prescriptions was retrieved. The average cost of medications and laboratory investigations was calculated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.44 ± 12.65 years. Of the 50 patients, 5 (10%) were on monotherapy and 45 (90%) were on combination therapy. The various classes of drugs prescribed were antibiotics 96%, short acting beta 2 agonist 91%,anticholinergic agents 89%,inhaled corticosteroids 83%,methyl xanthenes 72%,systemic corticosteroids 71%, Long acting beta 2 agonist 26% and mucolytics 24%. Conclusions: The prescribing trend that was observed at the hospital appears to be in concordance with the current guidelines for the management of COPD patients. However the cost of treatment is indeed more than other hospitals.

Keywords: COPD drugs, prescription patterns, co-morbidities, bronchodilators, mucolytics.