DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT BEING PRESCRIBED IN PATIENTS COMING TO MEDICINE OPD OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN INDIA

Introduction: Hypertension, is a global public health issue. It is a significant contributor to rising morbidity and mortality because of its associations with cardiovascular, renal and cerebrovascular complications. Given the prevalence and impact of the disease on health care a drug utilization study becomes essential to determine the current drug utilization pattern. Materials and Methods: 127 patients of hypertension coming to the OPD of medicine of King George’s Medical University were enrolled in the study after screening and giving consent. The data from the prescription of the drugs were recorded in pre-specified case record forms and analyzed for drug utilization parameters. Results: The average number of drugs encountered per prescription was 4. Whereas prescriptions with the generic name were 38% and drugs from an essential drug list were found to be 74%. The most commonly prescribed antihypertensive group was calcium channel blocker (25.1%) in monotherapy followed by angiotensin receptor blocker (21.2%). In combination therapy, the most commonly prescribed combination was found to be calcium channel blocker + angiotensin receptor blocker (17.3%). The drugs were prescribed in doses either equal to or less than the WHO DDD prescribed except telmisartan which was prescribed in a higher dose. A major finding was decreased in the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor prescription and rise in angiotensin receptor blocker. Conclusion: Results of our study showed a lower rate of polypharmacy reporting and adherence to a national essential list of medications. The drugs being prescribed also fell well within the WHO recommended Daily Defined Dose (DDD).