ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS OF DEPRESCRIBING AMONGST DOCTORS OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Introduction: Deprescribing is an essential pillar in rational prescribing with literature citing a reduction in the number of drugs consumed, mortality and reducing referrals requiring emergency care by more than half, while also slashing healthcare cost. Deprescribing is a developing field with a steep learning curve due to prevalence of multiple prescribing sources (Ayurveda) and there is no consensus on how to exploit different approaches. Thus, the current prescribing pattern remains heavily influenced by the medical practitioner bias. Advantages of reducing polypharmacy have been well established by literature in the past few decades; more efficacious studies including randomized clinical trials need to be conducted to determine the effectiveness of deprescribing in the Indian clinical scenario. Aims and Objectives: This study is conducted to assess the prevalence of deprescription in India. Material and Methods: A validated instrument ‘Perceptions, Attitudes and Challenges of Physicians towards Deprescribing’ was used for this study. An electronic 20-question survey regarding the prevalence of deprescription was administered to doctors who prescribed on a daily basis in Amritsar Punjab, India. Results: A total of 154 medical practitioners responded to the emailed links. Responses were variable and 40.6% of prescribers were not aware of the concept. Conclusion: In our opinion, the concept of deprescription holds significance in all segments of an individual’s healthcare. Not only does it play a sentinel role by preventing ADR related hospitalisations but it also protects against any inappropriate medications.