Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the use of Pantoprazole and the Risks

Abstract

Drug use evaluation (DUE) is a systematic approach to study the utilization of marketed drugs. These studies are proved invaluable for policy makers to get inputs on the use of drugs so that they can review their strategies. In this prospective observational study, we have conducted a DUE of Acid suppressant drugs in Outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. In the armamentarium of acid suppressants Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) occupied a special space owing to their superiority to others like H2 receptor blockers. PPIs are in the market for the last 40 years and their safety and efficacy is impeccable till now. These are the most commonly used drugs and tend to be used for long-term to manage acidity problems. But unregulated usage of PPIs over long term could pose very significant health problems ranging from electrolyte imbalance to cognitive impairment.
 Our study identified some issues in prescribing PPIs suggesting there is generous use of PPIs without considering their risks. And their safety also taken for granted, it appears.