Prescription pattern of antibiotics in respiratory disorders in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern part of India

Abstract

Background: Respiratory infections are increasing globally with parallel increase in world population, pollution, urbanization, overcrowding, global warming and poverty. Multi drug resistant virulent bacteria are growing very rapidly. The objective of this study was to know the prescribing pattern of antibiotics in hospitalized patients suffering from different common respiratory disorders.Methods: This was a retrospective and observational study. Data was captured from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016 at ICARE Institute of Medical Sciences and Research and Dr. B.C.Roy Hospital. Total 200 patients were taken for the study of age range from 10 to 50 years.Results: COPD, bronchial asthma, pneumonia and ARIs were the most frequent respiratory illnesses among patients attended Medicine OPD. Most common antibiotics prescribed were co-amoxyclav, ceftriaxone, moxifloxacin, clarithromycin, azithromycin and aminoglycosides.Conclusions: Injudicious use of antibiotics in trivial viral respiratory infections may give rise to antibiotic resistant strains in the community.

Outpatient prescribing trends, rational use of medicine and impact of prescription audit with feedback at a tertiary care centre in India

“…Upon comparing with other studies, variable results were noted. EML prescribing was higher (53%-81%) in other studies from the same region 10,11 ; while in different parts of the country it ranged from 23% to 91% (Table 8). [12][13][14] In international studies, proportion of drugs prescribed from EML were found to be higher in countries like Pakistan (98.8%), Ghana (97%), and Ethiopia (96.6%), 6,15,16 whereas a study conducted in China reported relatively lower value (48.85%).…”

“…Similar studies conducted in this region as well as across the country have shown the mean number of medicines to be ranging between 2.91 and 4.4 as shown in Table 8, 10,[12][13][14] though one study conducted in the city showed lesser average number of drugs. 11 The average number of drugs prescribed has also been found to be higher than the recommended WHO value in many other developing countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt (2.8-4.8). [5][6][7]15 Very few studies have reported values within recommended limits.…”

“…10,12,14 But, one of the studies conducted in the same region found it to be much higher (46%). 11 In contrast, most of the studies conducted in different countries reported over-prescription of antibiotics. Studies in Ethiopia (58.8%), Pakistan (51.1%), Nigeria (34.4%), and Egypt (31.97%) showed higher values than the WHO recommended standard.…”

“…WHO recommends 100% generic prescribing, but previous studies from the same region have reported it to be highly variable-4% to 70.86%. 10,11 Studies from different regions of India have also shown generic prescribing ranging from 10%-49% (Table 8). [12][13][14] Compared internationally, the results were variable too; while studies done in Ethiopia (98.7%), Zimbabwe (94%), and Ghana (65%) showed higher values, [15][16][17] countries like Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan reported relatively lower generic prescribing.…”

“…In previous studies, the percentage of injections prescribed was found to range from 6% to 15%, with one of the studies showing 29% prescriptions containing injections. [10][11][12][13][14] Internationally, injection prescribing shows variable results (0%-38.1%). [5][6][7]16,17 It is necessary to raise the awareness among the healthcare professionals regarding injections being used only when specifically indicated, as it is a route with known inconveniences and complications for patients if used inappropriately.…”