EVALUATION OF DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN IN INDOOR PATIENTS OF MEDICINE DEPARTMENT AT TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN SOUTHERN RAJASTHAN

Aims: To study and evaluate the pattern of drug utilization by using WHO/INRUD indicators in medicine indoor patients. Methodology: A prospective cross sectional observational study was done on patients admitted in medicine indoor. Information regarding age, gender, occupation, income group, diagnosis, patient's present/past medical history, number of days of hospitalization, treatment, any ADR, investigations and outcome were recorded in a proforma. Drug utilization pattern was evaluated using quality indicators of drug use recommended by WHO. PDD of antibiotics and maximally used drugs were analyzed and ratio of PDD and DDD was calculated. Results: Total 200 patients were included, 62% were male and 38% were female. Maximum numbers of patients were admitted for infectious diseases (24%). Pantoprazole was the maximum utilized drug and among antibiotics, ceftriaxone was maximum utilized antibiotic. Average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 7.35 +/- 2.36 and average stay in the hospital was 4.92 days. Oral route (42.8%) was most preferred route. Average cost for treatment per day was Rs 157.6. Maximum financial burden was due to anti-snake venom and minimum due to Clarithromycin. Conclusion: Prescription by generic name and from essential list, preference of oral route, and free government supply are encouraging findings. Polypharmacy, over use of proton-pump inhibitors and over dosing of some antibiotics are areas of concern. There is a need of more of such studies including larger number of patients and other departments.