Drug Utilization Pattern by Using WHO Core Prescribing Indicators in Orthopedics and Obstetrics / Gynecology Departments of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Authors

  • Naresh Karki Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pravas, Palpa, Nepal http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8788-6443
  • Pravin Prasad Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pravas, Palpa, Nepal
  • Ruban Raj Joshi Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pravas, Palpa, Nepal
  • Buddhi Kumar Shrestha Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pravas, Palpa, Nepal

Keywords:

Drug Utilization, Essential Drug List, Generic Drugs, Polypharmacy

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22502/jlmc.v7i1.280

Introduction: Drug utilization research is an important tool to provide facility of rational use of drugs. In low income countries irrational use of drugs is a common problem like overuse of drugs and inappropriate use of antibiotics, leading to poor treatment outcome and increased burden of treatment. This study was conducted to provide understanding of drug utilization pattern by using WHO Core Prescribing Indicator.

Methods: This study was conducted in Orthopedics and Obstetrics / Gynecology departments. Patients visiting these Out Patient Departments with at least one drug on prescription form were included in the study. Further, information related to WHO Core Prescribing Indicators were collected in pre-designed proforma.

Results: Average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.6. Means of number of drugs prescribed in Orthopedics and Obstetrics / Gynecology departments were 2.9 and 2.3 respectively (p < 0.001). Drugs prescribed in generic name and from essential drug list was 41.4% and 34.3% respectively. Prescription forms with generic name in Orthopedics department were significantly more compared to Obstetrics / Gynecology department (p = 0.00002). However, there was an increased tendency to prescribe drugs from essential drug list in Obstetrics / Gynecology department compared to Orthopedics department (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Drugs were prescribed by generic name and from essential drug list, but this was not sufficient to meet the ideal values of WHO Core Prescribing Indicator. Therefore, prioritization on prescribing drugs by generic name and from essential drug list by respective departments to achieve the standards of WHO needs to be encouraged.

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Author Biographies

Naresh Karki, Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pravas, Palpa, Nepal

Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology

Pravin Prasad, Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pravas, Palpa, Nepal

Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology

Ruban Raj Joshi, Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pravas, Palpa, Nepal

Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery & Traumatology

Buddhi Kumar Shrestha, Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Pravas, Palpa, Nepal

Associate Professor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Published

2019-06-21

How to Cite

Karki, N., Prasad, P., Joshi, R. R., & Shrestha, B. K. (2019). Drug Utilization Pattern by Using WHO Core Prescribing Indicators in Orthopedics and Obstetrics / Gynecology Departments of a Tertiary Care Hospital. Journal of Lumbini Medical College, 7(1). Retrieved from https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JLMC/article/view/25098

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Section

Original Research Articles