Publication:

A prospective observational study of prescription pattern in dermatology outpatient department of associated hospitals of Rajasthan University of Health Sciences-college of medical sciences, Jaipur

Background Skin diseases are chronic in nature and they require lifetime treatment. Prescription pattern reflects health professional attitude towards the disease and role of drugs in its treatment. The study of prescription pattern is important to make medical care rational and monitoring adverse drug reactions.

Methods An observational and prospective study was carried out in Skin and VD department along with department of pharmacology, RUHS college of medical sciences, Jaipur. Data collection was done in three months after ethical approval. Data was entered and analysed with latest Microsoft Excel version. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results.

Results During the study period, a total of 979 prescriptions were included and analysed, out of which the usage of dermatological drugs was maximum among males (n=520, 53.11%). Total 2848 drugs were prescribed in 6 different dosage forms. The most common dosage form prescribed was tablet (1267, 44.49%) followed by cream (685, 24.05%). Total 1632 (57.30%) drugs were prescribed through oral route and 1216 (42.70%) drugs were prescribed through topical route. the present study depicted that dermatophytosis (n=243, 24.82%) was one of the most common dermatological manifestations. antihistaminic (673, 23.63%) were the most commonly prescribed drug.

Conclusions The study of drug use is an effective tool to promote rational drug prescribing. Such type of study will help in formulation of proper antibiotics, drugs policy, prescription of cost-effective drugs, improvement in the patient compliance and reduction in undesirable effect of drugs.