DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS OF GENERAL MEDICINE IN A SECONDARY CARE HOSPITAL

The purpose of the research was to assess the prescribing pattern in geriatrics and to analyze the prescription using World Health Organization (WHO) core prescribing indicators and American Geriatric Society (AGS) Beers criteria 2012 for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. This prospective drug utilization study was conducted for a period of 6-months. Patients of either gender, age 65 or above who were admitted in the secondary care hospital. Collected data were analyzed with the WHO core prescribing indicators and American Geriatric Society Beers criteria 2012 for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. A total of 200 patients were taken in the study. The majority of the patients were in the age group of 65-70 years (64%) with male predominance (53%). The average number of drugs per encounter was 6.86. Out of 1372 drugs, 1157 drugs (84.32%) were prescribed by generic name. Drugs acting on the cardiovascular system (27.92%) were the most commonly prescribed. In this study, Ranitidine (24.4%) is the most commonly prescribed drug. The study shows the present prescribing practices in the hospital related to higher polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use. To enhance drug therapy for geriatric patients, it is essential for prescribers to make aware of the Beers criteria and should be surely followed for good health care outcomes in the elderly. A systematic medication chart review by the clinical pharmacist can minimize the frequency of prescribing drugs without indications and thereby decrease polypharmacy.