DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN AMONG GERIATRIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Objective: To evaluate drug utilization pattern among geriatric patients in outdoor as well as indoor departments of the hospital. Methods: Observational, prospective study was conducted from March 2014 to March 2015 among 600 geriatric patients; demographic details, education, occupation, diagnosis and drug details were recorded. The drugs were categorized by anatomical therapeutic classification and defined daily dose was calculated. The World Health Organization prescribing indicators and potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) according to Beers criteria were assessed. Results: The majority of the patients (75%) were in age group of 65-74 years. Cardiovascular diseases were common among geriatrics. Most commonly prescribed drug was ranitidine (56%). Comorbid conditions were present in 34.5% patients. In OPD and IPD 8.9% and 4.9% of drugs were fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) respectively. The mean number of drug formulations per prescriptions was 4.49±0.7 in OPD and 7.1±2.28 in IPD. Polypharmacy was prevalent in 62.5% of patients. Drugs prescribed by their generic names were 71.3% in OPD and 62.7% in IPD and 98% of were drugs that were included in the National Essential Medicines List (NEML). In OPD 11.5% and in IPD 7.5% of drugs prescribed were potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) according to Beers 2012 criteria.