Rifampicin biodegradable microcapsules were prepared by feasible emulsification-ionic gelation method for a novel controlled release product. Sodium alginate and Carbopol 974P were used as coating polymers in different ratios 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 to obtain elegant microcapsules. The formulations were characterized for encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, sieve analysis, scanning electron microscopy and in vitro release studies. The microcapsules were discrete, large, almost spherical and free flowing with encapsulation efficiency in the range of 75% to 89%, drug loading 75% to 86% and size 440 μm to 500 μm. Rifampicin release from these microcapsules was slow and extended over longer periods of time depending on the polymer coat. Drug release was diffusion controlled and followed first order kinetics. The formulation MC1 with a coating ratio of 1:1 (Sodium alginate: Carbopol 974P) was found to be suitable for oral controlled release.

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity around the world, infecting approximately 8 billion people, with an annual death rate of close to 1 million. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of tuberculosis treatment on health related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with active and inactive tuberculosis by evolving HRQoL questionnaire (SF-36v2). Methodology: A prospective follow-up study was conducted for total 70 patients (56 men and 14 women) diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in Navodaya Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Raichur for a period of 6 months. The HRQoL of TB patients was assessed in three phases: at the onset of treatment, at one month (middle of intensive phase) and two months (end of intensive phase), after the initiation of anti-tuberculosis therapy. Results: A total of 70 patients completed the SF-36v2 questionnaire at the start of their treatment. Out of these, 53 and 41 completed the questionnaire at the second and third follow-ups, respectively. The mean physical component summary (PCS) scores at the start of the treatment, after one month and at the intensive phase were 42.09 ± 16.77, 53.89 ± 13.64 and 65.24 ± 12.86, respectively. Similarly, the mean mental component summary (MCS) scores at the start of the treatment, after one month and at the intensive phase were 43 ± 17.07, 52.19 ± 14.12 and 62.17 ± 15.12, respectively. Conclusion: The HRQoL improved with the treatment, the scores on component summary measures revealed the improvement of both physical and mental health among study patients at the end of intensive phase.

Background: Infants and children suffer from frequent but usually non serious illnesses and are more vulnerable to various adverse events related to drugs and poor understanding of instructions on prescription by the patient or caretakers were likely to cause medication error. The correct identification of an illness and its management with medications is a vital aspect of patient care, especially for paediatric population. So, prescribing pattern studies are very helpful in promoting the appropriate use of drugs in population. Objectives: It aims to obtain data on the current prescribing pattern in pediatric OPD at a tertiary care teaching hospital with ultimate goal to promote appropriate use of drugs. Methods: This study was conducted in 62 pediatric patients of either sex visiting Pediatric out-patient department over a period of three months at NMCH and RC, Raichur, Karnataka. Results: Prescription analysis showed that the average number of drugs per prescription was 3.32. Drugs were mostly prescribed by brand name (98.06%), Injections (4.83%) were least prescribed, drugs prescribed from Essential Drug List was 48.54%. Antibiotics were most prescribed class of drugs (33.9%). Conclusion: The study concludes that polypharmacy was slightly seen in prescriptions. Diagnosis of the patient was recorded for most of the prescriptions. There is need to conduct many such studies at regular interval as it is useful for auditing large number of prescriptions to find out early signals of the irrational drug use. Our study evaluated drug use pattern only from the outpatients hence prescription pattern may vary among inpatients. Keywords: Prescribing pattern, Infants, WHO core prescribing indicators, Polypharmacy, Generic name

Background: Anemia is a major public health problem in India affecting people in all age groups with major consequences for human health as well as economic development. Hence the study aims to assess prescribing pattern of physicians in anemia and to create awareness among in-patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: A prospective and observational study was carried out in 180 in-patients admitted to General Medicine department in a tertiary care teaching hospital diagnosed with anemia for 6 months. Data was collected from case sheets of patients and assessed for prescribing pattern and direct interview was conducted with patients using standardized KAP questionnaire on anemia.Results: Among 180 in-patients, 126 patients (70%) were females and 54 patients (30%) were males. As part of the therapy, folic acid with vitamin combinations (37 prescriptions) followed by elemental iron with folic acid combinations (32 prescriptions) were most prescribed drugs. KAP questions were scored appropriately and compared with hemoglobin levels. Knowledge level of patients was not significantly correlated (i.e., p=0.254) with their haemoglobin levels. There was a highly significant positive correlation (i.e., p=0.006) between attitude scores of patients and haemoglobin levels. A significant positive correlation (i.e., p=0.001) was found between practice scores of patients and hemoglobin levels.Conclusions: This study clearly showed that prescribing pattern of drugs in anemia patients’ needs to be continuously evaluated. To address the issue of anemia, the patient’s awareness should be enhanced.

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Background: The endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism along with world’s ageing population has increased the burden of health care systems. The present study aimed to assess the prescribing pattern of drugs in endocrine disease like diabetes and thyroid disorder and to evaluate the drug use in given healthcare against programmed criteria and standards.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in 220 patients over six months in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients who are diagnosed with endocrine disorder in various (general medicine, surgery and Orthopedics) inpatient departments of study hospital.Results: A prospective observational study was carried out by reviewing prescriptions of 220 patients with lifestyle disorders such as, DM (120), hyperthyroidism (50) and hypothyroidism (50). In diabetes, most of the patients were prescribed with biguanides 75 (47.17%) followed by sulfonylureas 56 (35.22%), alpha-glycosidase inhibitors 20 (12.58%), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors 5 (3.14%), meglitinides 2 (1.26%) and thiazolidinediones 1 (0.63%). Most of the prescription containing insulin Actrapid and insulin Mixtard 14 (82.35%) followed by insulin Actrapid and insulin NPH 2 (11.76%), insulin Mixtard and insulin Glargine 1 (5.89%). In hypothyroidism most of the patients were prescribed with propylthiouracil 28 (56%) followed by methimazole 26 (44%). Levothyroxine is the best choice of drug for hypothyroid disorder.Conclusions: Our study found that treatment and management of endocrine disorders were not rational. There is a need of clinical pharmacist involvement for a better patient care in these disorders.

Background: Inappropriate use of drugs especially antibiotics, in the treatment of cellulitis results in therapeutic failure and recurrence of cellulitis. Drug use evaluation is a performance improvement method that focuses on evaluation and improvement of drug use processes to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. Objectives: The present work deals with the drug use evaluation in cellulitis with an aim to improve therapeutic outcomes of the disease. Methodology: The prospective observational study on the drug utilization evaluation in cellulitis was carried out on a total of 67 cellulitis in-patients from the departments of medicine, surgery, orthopaedics of Navodaya Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Raichur. Relevant information was recorded in a structured proforma & data was evaluated. The drugs used in the treatment were evaluated by comparing with by using CREST (Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team guidelines, developed by Central Medical Advisory Committee, Ireland) guidelines. Results: Out of 67 patients 53 patients were diagnosed with Class 2 cellulitis, 13 patients were Class 3 cellulitis and only 1 patient was Class 4 cellulitis (Class 1 cellulitis patients are treated on outpatient basis and hence not included in the study). The rank order of antibiotics prescribed in the treatment was as follows: Cephalosporins>aminoglycosides>penicillins>macrolides>fluoroquinolones. Conclusion: An overall deviation in 28.3% patients as been observed in the line of treatment with respect to antibiotics use as per CREST guidelines. Further, deviation was also observed in prophylactic antibiotics prescribed to prevent the recurrence of cellulitis. The study also revealed the lack of awareness in the cellulitis patients regarding the disease, its recurrence and prevention. Thus, the study intensifies the need to create the awareness among the physicians regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics and in patients to prevent its occurrence and recurrence.

Respiratory diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children especially among children less than five years old. To study the prescribing pattern and assess caregiver's perception about pediatric respiratory disease therapy by using questionnaires. A prospective observational study was carried out for a total of 225 cases of inpatients in pediatric department and caregivers were assessed regarding pediatric respiratory disease therapy by questionnaires. We observed that Majority of the pediatric patients were diagnosed with LRTI 95(42.2%), followed by ARI 60(26.7%), URTI 36(16.0%), Fever and cough 15(6.8%) Pneumonia 11(4.9%), Asthma 3(1.3%), Bronchiolitis and Chronic cough 02(0.8%). Most of the drugs prescribed were Bronchodilators (36.5%). Among Bronchodilators SABA 258(81.6%) were prescribed more in number in which salbutamol were prescribed more (77.5%). Majority of the antibiotics prescribed were Cephalosporin's (58.8%), and among Corticosteroid's Budesonide were prescribed more i.e. (26.32%). Most of the caregivers given formulation preference towards nebulization i.e. (61.4%). Almost (44.5%) of caregivers felt that usage of the nebulizers was easy. Out of 225 caregivers about 88% of the caregivers were satisfied with their child's treatment. Educational interventions must be implemented for health care professionals for more appropriate and cost effective prescribing. A separate parent education program also should be conducted to bring awareness regarding respiratory disease in parents/ caregivers. This will ensure rational use of drugs in pediatric Respiratory diseases and there by improve quality of life.