Personal formulary for gonorrhea developed by residents of pharmacology

Abstract

Introduction: Incorporating P-drug concept in pharmacology curriculum can assist the students to learn principles of rational evaluation of available therapeutic options and form a well informed and rational decision concerning drug treatment for an individual patient. This study was designed to develop a personal formulary by senior residents and postgraduate students for the treatment of gonorrhea according to Pdrug concept of Joshi and Jayawickramarajah. Materials and Methods: Senior residents and junior residents (post graduate students) were taught about how to analyze and give score (α) to drugs used for gonorrhea available in market with the help of various standard text books & journals available in the library, by internet and Current Index of Medical Specialties (CIMS). Scores were given to each four parameters (efficacy, safety, cost and convenience) from 1 to 10 for each drug. Each parameter had given a fractional numerical rating (β) according to the importance i.e. 0.4 for efficacy, 0.3 for safety, 0.2 for cost and 0.1 for convenience. Score (α) was multiplied by fractional numerical rating (β) to get total score (γ=α x β). The drug with the highest score became the personal drug. Results: Cephalosporin group had highest score (8.4). Treatment cost of Cefixime was lowest (₹ 24.9) with respect to Ceftriaxone (₹ 30.55) and Cefotaxime (₹ 30.62) but the overall score was better for Ceftriaxone (score 7.2) so it was chosen as Personal drug for gonorrhea. Further personal formulary was developed for the P-drug ceftriaxone as a practical elaboration of the P-drug concept. Conclusions: Teaching of P-drug concept to residents will be helpful in acquiring proper skills in the development of personal formulary and also helpful in promoting rational use of medicines.