PRESCRIBING PRACTICES OF TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROIDS IN THE OUTPATIENT DERMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Introduction: Topical corticosteroids are mainstay of treatment for many skin conditions but extensive prescription of them may lead to increase in adverse reactions. So, periodic audit of prescriptions will help in enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness and reduce the adverse effects. Objective: To study sociodemographic data and drug prescription pattern in patients with skin diseases. Methodology: Prospective observational drug evaluation type of study conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital during January to December 2018. Secondary data analysis was conducted of 500 prescriptions of dermatologists which were selected randomly in semi structured proforma. Data was analysed as counts and percentage. Results: Total 1551 drugs were prescribed to 500 patients visiting dermatology Outpatient department. Most frequently in 180 prescriptions, 3 drugs were prescribed. Antiallergic are most frequently prescribed drugs (24.3%) followed by Steroids (15.7%). In almost all prescriptions Generic name of drugs, Strength and Duration of treatment were mentioned. Among prescribed steroids topical corticosteroids were prescribed in 69.1% of prescriptions and in topical corticosteroids Clobetasol propionate forms more than half part (53.3%) in prescriptions. Conclusion: Repetitive periodic prescription monitoring can become an important tool for betterment of steroid prescription practices.