A Study of Drug Utilization in Patients of Carcinoma Breast Receiving Systemic Chemotherapy in Tertiary Care Hospitals

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to study drug utilization in patients with breast carcinoma receiving systemic chemotherapy in government as well as private set-up.
 Methods: This was a record-based, retrospective-prospective study, analyzing the prescription pattern of drugs used for systemic chemotherapy in patients diagnosed with carcinoma breast at government teaching hospital (GTH) and private trust hospital (PTH) for 1 year in 600 patients. Patient’s demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were collected from the files and personal interviews and analyzed in Microsoft Excel.
 Results: Diagnosis of breast carcinoma was highest in age bracket of 40–49 years (32.33% GTH and 32.67% PTH), and the most common presenting symptom was painless lump (76.33% GTH and 83% PTH). In GTH, most frequently prescribed regimen was 4AC → 4T → RT (17.33%). In PTH, most commonly prescribed regimen was 6FEC → RT (19.33%). Highest prescribed drugs were A (32.8%), C (29.12%), and F (20.24%) in GTH and A (32.26%), F (31.68%), and E (16.45%) in PTH. Average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 12.55 and 11.37; percentage of chemotherapeutic agents prescribed by generic name was 100 and 95.02, and from the WHO essential drug list (2015) was 96.43 and 82.77 in GTH and PTH, respectively (A= Cyclophosphamide, C= Doxorubicin, T=Taxanes [Paclitaxel/Docetaxel], F=5-fluorouracil, E=Epirubicin, RT=Radiotherapy, → followed by, the number indicates chemotherapy cycle).
 Conclusion: The study results can help in generating local data regarding drug use pattern of the systemic chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer patients and promote rational drug use.

Prescription Pattern of Prophylactic Antiemetics in Breast Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…In our study, most common age group was 40-49 years (31.07%). Shah et al studied drug utilization pattern and found highest breast cancer in similar age group [40].…”

“…Most frequently prescribed regimen was paclitaxel 49 (34.75%) followed by AC regimen (anthracycline + cyclophosphamide combination) 47 (33.33%). AC regimen was one of the most common regimens for the treatment of breast cancer in similar studies [40][41][42][43].…”