Assessment of Prescription Pattern of Drugs Prescribed in the Outpatient Department of a Private Orthopedic Hospital – A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Drug utilization research (DUR) is vital in the health sector as it offers insight into the efficacy of drug use. The findings of DUR studies can help set goals for the rational use of drugs and health-care funds distribution. Objective: The objective of this DUR study was to evaluate the prescription pattern of drugs prescribed in the outpatient department (OPD) of a private orthopedic hospital. Settings and Design: The study was a cross-sectional, prospective, and observational study conducted at the OPD of a private orthopedic hospital. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out over a 6-month duration (from October 2020 to March 2021) at the OPD of a private orthopedic hospital and studied 609 prescriptions using the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended prescribing indicators. Statistical Analysis Used: Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 26.0 were used to capture and analyze the data of the study. Results: A total of 3082 drugs were prescribed in 609 prescriptions. The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 5.1 (SD = 1.9). Drugs prescribed using generic name of the drug were 2.6%, the encounters with an antibiotic and an injection prescribed were 39.4% and 7.1%, respectively. The drugs prescribed from the essential drugs list were 38.9%. In addition, vitamins and supplements (32.1%) were prescribed the most followed by analgesics (24.2%) and antacids (16.6%). Conclusions: The study highlighted the inadequate compliance with the WHO recommended prescribing indicators and suggested a need to train physicians and spread awareness about writing rational prescriptions, benefitting the patient.