A study of drug utilization in indoor patients of high-risk pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: High-risk pregnancy is an important determinant of drug use during pregnancy. The aim of study was to evaluate drug use pattern according to WHO core-drug prescribing indicators and US-FDA pregnancy category in indoor patients of high-risk pregnancy. Methods: It was a prospective, observational study. All high-risk pregnant women admitted to tertiary care hospital and willing to give consent were included. The data was collected from 290 patients over 12 months. The data was analysed to evaluate drug utilization according to WHO core drug use indicators and in relation to US-FDA pregnancy risk category. Results: The study found that 74.82% of women were between 20-30 years of age and were admitted during third trimester of pregnancy. The most commonly prescribed drug class was vitamins and minerals prescribed in 82.75% patients. Average number of drugs per encounter was 6.4. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name and from essential drug list was 73.07% and 77.07% respectively. Percentage of encounters with an antibiotic and an injection prescribed was 29.31% and 65.17% respectively. The prescription of drugs belonging to US-FDA pregnancy drug categories A, B and C were 92.06%, 86.55% and 4.82% respectively. Conclusions: Overall, the principles of rational prescribing were followed according to the various drug use indicators mentioned by the WHO and US FDA pregnancy risk category. Further studies are required to find out specific drug or drug therapy related problems and plan targeted interventions to improve drug use.

Drug use evaluation in pregnant women attending antenatal care in Shashemene Referral Hospital, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

“…1 Among the crucial outcomes of Evaluation of drug use during pregnancy include the following: the potential risk of harmful effects to fetus, physiological changes resulting in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics changes, and the high drug-utilization patterns during pregnancy. 2 …”

“…1 Among the crucial outcomes of Evaluation of drug use during pregnancy include the following: the potential risk of harmful effects to fetus, physiological changes resulting in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics changes, and the high drug-utilization patterns during pregnancy. 2 The use of medications among expecting mothers has often been associated with significant problems in ANC due to the potential fetal risk associated with the use. According to drug utilization studies, the prevalence of drug use during pregnancy is high, varying from 44% to 99% in different areas across the world.…”

Drug utilization study of antihypertensive drugs used in the treatment of second and third trimester of pregnancy in tertiary care hospital

“…There is need to observe pattern of antihypertensive drug used and to see if current usage is rational, effective and well tolerated in accordance with current guidelines. 9 Authors study to evaluate the prescribing patterns of drugs in pregnant women with hypertension in out-patients and inpatient of obstetrics and gynaecology department, so that the economic burden is reduced, the quality of life can be improved and to minimize the harmful effects of drugs in pregnant women and child. 10…”