We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Drug utilization patterns of Geriatric patients admitted in the Medicine Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital.
- Authors
Jafrin, A. Lourdu; Kumar, P. Venkata Naveen; Udhayalakshmi, T.; Jayapriya, B.; Sawadkar, Maruti Shripati
- Abstract
Drug utilization studies on geriatric population are an area of research where the data available is very limited and this population is generally neglected. This study was done to assess the usage of essential medicines and to identify the diseases common among this population. It was a cross sectional, unicentric observational drug utilization study with admitted patients in medicine ward as study population. The sample size was 111 patients. The case sheets of the patients were verified after obtaining written informed consent and the drugs prescribed were analyzed. The majority of patients were found to be in the age group of 60 to 70 years (76%).It was noticed that males were more (63%) compared to females. The drugs prescribed were categorized and drugs used for respiratory disorders were used more commonly of which Deriphylline was prescribed for almost half of the patients in this study group. The Average number of drugs per prescription was 9.4±0.31 (SEM). Average drug cost per admission was Rs.981.93±87.49 (SEM). Brand names were used (74%) in preference to generic names. Among the drugs prescribed 78% were from the national list of essential medicines (NLEM) and only 58% were from the WHO Essential Medicines List. This study revealed the chronic nature of diseases affecting the geriatric population with an increased incidence of respiratory diseases and rightly the drug deriphyllin was the most common drug utilized. The pattern of drug prescription also shows a trend towards polypharmacy (⩾ 5 drugs) which has to be viewed with caution given the pharmacokinetic changes in the elderly. These studies can help to promote rational use of drugs.
- Subjects
DRUG utilization; OLDER patients; CROSS-sectional method; DRUG prescribing; RESPIRATORY diseases; POLYPHARMACY; AGE factors in pharmacokinetics
- Publication
International Journal of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, 2013, Vol 4, Issue 11, p3087
- ISSN
0976-7126
- Publication type
Article