To describe rational drug prescribing in general practice for elderly patients, using patients age, sex, encounters and the occurrence of some predefined inappropriate drug prescribing, according to Beer's criteria, drug-drug interaction of common OTC drugs and WHO essential drug list. A retrospective study on rational drug prescribing patterns in geriatric patient was carried out using prescriptions issued to the geriatric patients, 65 years and above, attending the outpatient and inpatient department of various hospitals and clinics of Hyderabad. Of the 150 prescriptions consecutively selected, Anti diabetics (142, 15.58%) were the most commonly prescribed medicines with metformin being the most prescribed anti diabetic. The medications prescribed by generic names were 92 (10.08%). 40% of medicines were prescribed from the WHO essential drug list. 17 (11.3%) prescriptions had one or more potentially inappropriate medicines from Beer's criteria and in 16 (10.6%) prescriptions drugdrug interactions were ascertained according to drug -drug interactions of common OTC drugs. The drug prescribing pattern among the elderly is still suboptimal. Appropriate interventions are needed for both health care providers and patients alike.

Background: Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescriptions are prominent prescribing issues among geriatric patients. Beer's criteria, Drug-Drug interaction of common OTC drugs and WHO essential drug lists have been developed to assist in the reduction of potentially inappropriate medications prescribed to geriatric patients. Objective: This study was carried out to find out the rational prescription of drugs in the geriatric patients and to also investigate Polypharmacy. Methodology: A retrospective study on rational drug prescribing pattern in geriatric patient was carried out using prescriptions issued to the geriatric patients, 65 years and above, attending the outpatient and inpatient department of various hospitals and clinics of Hyderabad. A total of 125 prescriptions were collected and analyzed by using Beer's Criteria. Results: In this study we observed that almost all prescriptions were with polypharmacy. Only 3% of drugs were prescribed on generic names and remaining all is on brand names. 11 (13.75%) prescriptions had one or more potentially inappropriate medicines from Beer's Criteria and in 9 (11.25%) prescriptions drug-drug interactions were ascertained according to drugdrug interactions of common OTC drugs. Conclusion: Prevalence of polypharmacy was high which is usually unavoidable in the geriatric patients. Extending clinical pharmacist services can significantly improve rational use of medicines in geriatric population.

The aim of this study is to determine the rational and empiric antibiotic prescription in General Medicine Department. To determine the appropriate use of antibiotics and to empirical antibiotic therapy. To obtain information on the antibiotic prescribing pattern and the disease condition for which antibiotics are prescribed. A prospective-observational study was performed for a period of eight months from December toJuly in a multidisciplinary hospital. During the study 238 prescriptions were reviewed. Among them 210 prescriptions which contains antibiotics were selected. Data was collected from patient's medication orders and all the necessary treatment details were collected. The result was found that majority of the prescriptions were of male 115(54.76%) compared to female 95(45.24%). Antibiotic monotherapy was observed mostly in 162(77.14%). Majority of the prescriptions were managed with antibiotic monotherapy, thus preventing the over usage of antibiotics. Indications most commonly treated were fever 67(31.90%),urinary tract infections 27(12.8%) followed by other diseases. 47(22.3%) medication orders contain fixed dose combinations. The major route was found to be parenteral in 163 out of 210 prescriptions. The major class of drugs were cephalosporins. They were used in about 170(63.23%) prescriptions. The most common empirical therapy was given by third generation cephalosporinceftriaxone. Empirical therapy mostly covers broad spectrum antibiotics which are useful for the treatment of various pathogens. The study concludes that by the appropriate antibiotic prescription, treatment success rate was found to be higher. Rational fixed dose combinations were prescribed. Cephalosporins were the most commonly prescribed in empirical therapy. Antibiotics, Rational, Empirical therapy Conclusion :

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Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of potential drug-drug interactions in hospitalized stroke patients. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out among patients treated for ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke at a tertiary care hospital, Hyderabad for a period of 1 y. A total of 177 prescriptions were analyzed during the study period. The potential drug-drug interactions were identified using Clinirex software. Results: Among the 177 prescriptions, 63.8% were male and 36.2% were female. Out of 177, 79 % of prescriptions had shown potential drug-drug interactions. The patients prescribed with more than 5 drugs developed higher incidence of drug-drug interactions. Based on severity scale we observed 12% major, 71% moderate and 17% minor drug-drug interactions. The incidence of pharmacodynamic interactions was 68% and the pharmacokinetic interactions were 32%. Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with stroke are frequently exposed to potential drug-drug interactions. The incidence of potential drug-drug interactions was higher in patients above 40 y. Most of the prescriptions contained polypharmacy which may lead to increased risk of hospitalization and higher health care cost. It is essential to identify potential drug-drug interactions especially in elderly patients as early as possible in order to prevent adverse drug reactions and ensure patient’s safety.