<p>Pattern of medication use in geriatric patients at primary healthcare facilities in Karawang, Indonesia</p>

Abstract

BackgroundRational drug use is a critical component in patient care, particularly among the elderly who often have multiple medical problems. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of medication use among the elderly visiting primary health care facilities.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at 25 primary health care facilities in Karawang District, Indonesia, and patients aged ≥60 years visiting the facilities from January to December 2014 were included. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study samples. Each prescription was assessed using the WHO prescribing indicators.ResultsA total of 10,118 prescriptions with 31,927 drugs were assessed. The average number of drugs prescribed was 3.15 (range: 1–7). Drugs prescribed by generic name comprised 98.09% (n=31,318) of the total number of drugs. Medical appointments wherein an antibiotic was prescribed constituted 23.45% (n=2373) of the total number of prescriptions. No injections were prescribed in this study setting. Drugs prescribed from the essential drug list comprised 83.07% (n=26,522). Paracetamol (13.44%), vitamin B complex (8.05%), and aluminum–magnesium hydroxide (7%) were the most frequently prescribed drugs, whereas amoxicillin (44.03%), chloramphenicol (13.10%), and ciprofloxacin (12.00%) were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics.ConclusionOur findings highlight that polypharmacy and prescription of essential drugs remain subjects of concern in geriatric health care. Regular medication review and promoting the use of the essential drug list among health care professionals are encouraged in primary care settings.

Assessment of Medication usage in Geriatric Wards in a Teaching Hospital

“…Our result was supported by the studies conducted in Ethiopia (96.6%), 4 Egypt (95.4%), 15 Lao People's Republic (86.2%) 26 and Indonesia (83.07%). 11 However, lower value as compared to this study was also reported in Serbia (70%) 27 and India (66%). 25 WHO issued EML to ensure rational prescribing, like using an optimal drug?…”

“…4,15 The generic prescribing was at a level of 30% with the lowest value was recorded in MOD (23.7%). Similarly, the recent finding was lower than the studies carried out in Ethiopia (98.7%), 4 Indonesia (98.09%), 11 Timor-Leste (92%) 23 and Nigeria (49.3%). 21 Furthermore, our finding was higher than the studies carried out in Andorra (6%) 24 and Ludhiana India (25%).…”

“…This value was higher than the studies conducted in other developing countries like India 39.6%, 20 Nigeria 28.1% 21 and Indonesia (23.45%). 11 These results emphasized to prescribe antimicrobials in control. The reasons behind higher antimicrobials prescribing may be due to cultural, patient demands and prescriber belief in antimicrobial prescription.…”

“…With reference to antimicrobial prescribing, it is evident that antimicrobials was consumed at a greater rate among geriatrics population in the developing countries. 7,11 In this study, different types of antimicrobials were prescribed. The most frequently prescribed class of antimicrobial was cephalosporins (65.3%).…”

“…3,5 The elderly patients are among the largest consumers of drugs. 11 The periodic assessment about rational utilization of drug usage is crucial for the better health care of this special population. Furthermore, no previous research on this topic was conducted among older patients in selected wards and health care setting.…”