DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN IN OPTHALMOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

The objective of the study is to assess the average number of drugs per prescription, formulations being prescribed, various categories of drugs being prescribed and the category most often used in ophthalmology. This is a retrospective hospital based study carried out in the department of ophthalmology at

A.J institute of medical sciences, Mangalore, India. The study period was from July 2012 to July 2013. Total number of prescriptions analyzed were 3543, in which total of 15,324 drugs were prescribed. Analysis of the prescriptions showed that average number of drugs per prescription was 4.325. The maximum number of drugs prescribed were in the form of eye drops (67.65 %), followed by ointments (11.66 %), tablet (7.8 %), capsules (7.23 %), syrup (3.54 %) and injection (2.12 %). The dosage form was indicated for 91 %, frequency of drug administration for 97 % drugs and duration of treatment for only 69 % of the drugs prescribed. Around 56.44 % of diagnosis accounted for senile immature cataract. Rest 15.33 % and 9.81 % acconting for pseudophakia and senile mature cataract respectively. The number of antibiotics prescribed was 8,955 (58.43 %), out of these 5,981 (66.79 %) antibiotics were prescribed in the form of drops, 2,782 (31.06 %) as ointment and 191 (2.13 %) orally. Number of encounters with anti-inflammatory and anti allergic drugs was 1,547 (10.1 %), mydriatics and cycloplegics 1,317 (8.6 %), miotics 474 (3.1 %), lubricant and miscellaneous eye drops 2,869 (18.72 %) and multivitamins 161 (1.05 %). Prescription writing errors were at its minimum thereby avoiding irrational prescriptions. Duration of treatment and prescribing by generic name were very low.

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