Aims Self-medication is an essential component of self-care; however, its use has significantly increased. Its practice has many risks such as wrong diagnosis, adverse drug reactions, antimicrobial resistance, etc. Being future doctors, self-medication has a special impact on MBBS students. Henceforth, the present study was undertaken to sensitize MBBS students in a medical college in Bihar and to analyze its role in different aspects of self-medication. Methods and material This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire was circulated to MBBS students of all the phases. After collecting the responses, scoring and grading was done and then a sensitization and awareness program was conducted through different modes and medium. After three months the same questionnaire was distributed, and their response was again collected. Statistical analysis used With an expected 40% prevalence, the minimum sample size needed to attain a power of 95% and an alpha value of 0.05 was calculated to be 201. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 was used for data analysis. The chi-square test was used to see the association in responses obtained, before and after sensitization. A P-value with ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The questionnaires were circulated among 439 students. On comparing the grades, we found that phase III students comparatively had better knowledge regarding different aspects of self-medication. On analyzing different aspects of self-medication, we found that there was a significant improvement in many aspects post-sensitization. Conclusions MBBS students are future doctors, hence they should be more educated about the pros and cons of self-medication. This study showed that the perception of participants improved after our educational activities. We hope that after becoming aware, these young budding doctors will spread awareness, which, in turn, will benefit society. Additionally, we hope that this study will have an impact on students from different medical colleges and even healthcare providers, promoting responsible self-medication practices when necessary.

Diseases related to Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) occur very commonly in all age groups. Thus periodic evaluation of prescription pattern and adverse drug reaction (ADR) monitoring will be helpful in enabling appropriate modifications in prescribing pattern. This will also result in improved therapeutic efficacy and better patient compliance. The aim of the study is to evaluate prescription pattern of drugs prescribed in ENT OPD and to analyse the ADRs from ENT Department (IPD & OPD). This was an observational & prospective study, conducted for the duration of six months i.e. from March 2021 to October 2021. Prescription was analysed for demographic details, pattern of prescribed medications, pattern/types of ENT diseases and adequacy of prescription. For monitoring of ADRs active surveillance and spontaneous reporting both were used. In this study, prescription of 251 patients were analysed. It was found that male patients (64.5%) were significantly higher. A total of 850 drugs were prescribed. The most commonly prescribed group of drugs were antimicrobials. Most commonly prescribed FDC was of cefpodoxime and clavulanic acid. Otitis media was the most commonly suffered condition. Dose, frequency, total duration of treatment and instructions in vernacular language was mentioned in all the prescription. The average number of drugs prescribed was 3.3. A total of four ADRs were reported. This study was a sincere attempt to see the prescribing pattern of drugs prescribed in ENT department and its associated ADRs. Antimicrobials were the most commonly prescribed drugs and it could be attributed to increased occurrence of infections. The adequacy of prescription demonstrates good aspects of prescription writing. Since no prescription had more than five drugs; we can say that polypharmacy was avoided. ADR reporting was very low so it strongly suggests the need to spread awareness among health-care workers and patients for reporting.

Introduction: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are inevitable component of drug therapy which negatively affects quality of life, increases physician visits, hospitalizations and even death. It also poses economic burden on health care system. Aim: To ascertain various ADRs occurring in our hospital; this can generate a notion to inculcate the culture of ADR reporting in view of improving the health safety of patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, record based study, conducted by analyzing ADR forms, reported over a period of 12 months and were further analyzed for demographic details, organ system involved, types of ADRs, suspected drugs, causality, severity, outcome and reporters qualification. Results: A total of 532 ADR reporting forms were studied in which 563 types of ADRs were seen. Male preponderance (57.1%) was seen with majority of ADRs between 40-59 yrs. of age (33.2%). Gastrointestinal tract (47.24%) was most commonly affected with abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea. Antibiotics were the most common suspected group of drugs. Majority of ADRs were probable/likely (46.35%) and were of moderate category (56.12%). Most of the patients recovered/resolved (91.35%) from the reaction and majority of reports was from non-health professionals/consumers (53.19%). Conclusions: Results drawn from this study suggests reinforcing Pharmacovigilance Programme of India as it can help in minimization/prevention of ADRs through early detection. Also, it would be helpful if the system of ADR monitoring is designed in such a way that it encourages health care professionals to report ADRs spontaneously and intensively through a proper communication channel for ensuring patient safety.

No abstract

Background: Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) is a global health problem requiring attention of healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals are backbone of pharmacovigilance programme and hence have a major role for better healthcare system. Aim: To assess the awareness of knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance among residents in our health set-up. Materials and Methods: An observational, prospective and questionnaire-based study comprising 15 questions pertaining to Pharmacovigilance. 60 Residents (30 junior and 30 senior residents) from different clinical departments were sampled. Questionnaire was based on two alternative answers viz "Yes" or "No". Questions were further segregated into four classes for evaluation of awareness in different spheres of pharmacovigilance. A grading scale was used to determine the awareness of residents about pharmacovigilance. Statistical Analysis: Wilcoxon matched-pairs test using GraphPad Instat software. Results: This study was conducted in two visits. After second visit there was significant increase in response in which education encompassing pharmacovigilance was recommended by 61.66% of residents. Percentage of residents responding "yes" regarding established independent body for reporting of ADRs was 48.33%. Further, evaluation of awareness in different spheres of pharmacovigilance showed that fundamental knowledge of pharmacovigilance among residents was excellent in 21.66%, good in 45%, average in 10% and poor in 25% of the residents. Conclusions: Knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance was improved among residents after giving proper sensitization. Hence, improved perception can remove the misconceptions, obstacles and barriers in practice of pharmacovigilance. Furthermore, large-scale awareness of pharmacovigilance is required among different healthcare professionals for better understanding of this system.