PRESCRIPTION PATTERN ANALYSIS OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the prescription pattern of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and to identify the commonly used NSAIDs and their drug-related problems (DRPs). Methods: A prospective and cross-sectional study on prescription pattern analysis of NSAIDs was conducted for the period of 6 months. Results: Prescriptions of 150 patients containing at least one NSAIDs were analyzed. About 56% of the prescription were prescribed for males and 44% prescription were female. NSAIDs were more prescribed for below 60-year age group (47%) but were most frequently used by 61–70-year age group (21%). Subjects were regularly prescribed with acetaminophen (95%) and diclofenac (22%). Among all the prescriptions, (19%) of the prescriptions contained NSAIDs in the form of fixed dose combinations (FDCs). About 37% of prescriptions had other analgesic coprescribed along with NSAIDs amid which tramadol was in majority (22%). Prescription was also coprescribed with antibiotic (90%) and gastroprotective agents (GPAs) (97%) that consisted of pantoprazole belonging to the class of proton pump inhibitors which was the persistently prescribed GPA (86%). Due to coprescription, (3%) suspected drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were observed. Conclusion: The goal of studying prescribing patterns was to monitor, assess, and, if required, advise changes in medical practitioners’ prescribing behavior to offer quality medical treatment and reasonable drug use. The prescribing pattern was rational and in accordance with national list of essential medicine (NLEM-2015) but was not in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) model list of essential medicines

THE PHARMACOECONOMIC IMPACT OF GASTRO-PROTECTIVE AGENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the pharmacoeconomic impact of gastro-protective agents (GPA) by carrying out cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and cost-effective analysis (CEA). Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out by simple randomization technique at Karnataka Institute of Medical Science, Hubballi. Data used were socio-economic details based on modified B. G Prasad scale. Current Index of Medical Specialists updated version March 2021 was used for CBA and CEA. Regression analysis was the statistical tool used in the study. Results: A total of 120 participants were included in the study. 57.5% were male and 42.5% were female. 3.33% were pediatrics, 32.5% were young adults, 37.5% were elder adults and 26.67% were geriatrics. Out of 120 samples, 94 participants were prescribed with pantoprazole, other drugs prescribed include domperidone and pantoprazole, rabeprazole, and ranitidine. The CBA revealed ratio of benefits over costs for pantoprazole was 3.86, ranitidine was 9.31, pantoprazole and domperidone was 0.84 and rabeprazole was 0.84. Additional cost of 138.30 Indian Rupee must be spent on pantoprazole over ranitidine to get cost-effective treatment without disease for one whole year. Conclusion: The CBA revealed that maximum patients received benefits for pantoprazole. CEA gives an idea on best effective treatment over two drugs of different class. Our study concludes that pantoprazole is deemed to be superior over other drugs of GPA prescribed among study participants