DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY IN OUTPATIENT OPHTHALMOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN WEST BENGAL

Background : Drug utilization studies provide a pharmacoeconomic basis for making evidence - based health - care decisions. Periodical auditing of prescribing pattern is vital for promotion of rational use of drugs. Aim : This study was designed with the aim to investigate the utilization pattern in a tertiary care hospital. Settings and design : A prospective, cross - sectional study was conducted for a period of 2 months. Materials and methods : The prescriptions for all consecutive new patients attending the OP D were included and audited using a pre - designed form to record information from the OPD prescription cards of each patient. Statistical analysis : Data analysis was carried out using the descriptive statistics Results : A total of 600 prescriptions were an alyzed with the average number of drugs per prescription being 2.6 (0.9). The most common disorders diagnosed were refractive errors (13.3%) followed by cataract, glaucoma and others. 1400 drugs were prescribed in six dosage forms with eye drops being the most common (57.14%) followed by tablets (14.28%), ointment (6.42%), syrup (3.92%) capsules (4.28%), lotion (0.57%) injections contributed 2.14% of the dosage forms prescribed. The frequency of drug administration was recorded in 96.6% and the duration of treatment was mentioned in 80% of the drugs prescribed. Antimicrobials were the most commonly prescribed (39.6%) followed by anti - inflammatory and anti - allergic (26.0%), anti ? glaucoma drugs (23.0%), mydriatic and cycloplegics (12.8%), miotics (7.00%). Drug s were prescribed in brand name in 65.6% and that accounted for generic name in 34.3% (481/1400). Conclusion: The study revealed that prescription writing errors were minimum but generic prescribing was low which adds to the economic burden indirectly lead ing to non - compliance.