Publication:

Drug utilization study in ophthalmology out patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background The objective of the study was to evaluate the utilization of the drugs in the ophthalmology outpatient department.

Methods Present study was conducted at ESIC medical college & PGIMSR Ophthalmology Department. Total 700 prescriptions were collected from 700 patients and prescriptions were analysed for total and average number drugs per prescription, duration of treatment, dosage form, drug encounter with antibiotics and other group of drugs also percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names.

Results After analysing the prescriptions, average number of drugs per prescription was 2.14 and the range of drugs prescribed were varied from 1-5. Total drugs prescribed were 1502 with 7 different dosage forms. Most commonly prescribed were antibiotics (28.14%) followed by antihistamines (14.28%) and vitamins and minerals (14.28%). Thirdly ocular lubricants were frequently prescribed (12.12%). Fluroquinolones (moxifloxacin) were very commonly prescribed in antibiotics. The common prescription writing errors were very minimal.

Conclusions The present study revealed trend of prescribing practices of the Opthalmologists of the Institute. This study shows less polypharmacy, use of injection was limited and majority of the drugs prescribed in generic and hospital formulary drug list. Antibiotics were prescribed most frequently.