Evaluating the Drug Utilization in Ophthalmology Outpatients at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Aim:  To evaluate the utilization of the drugs in the ophthalmology outpatient department.

Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted at ESIC medical college and PGIMSR Ophthalmology Department. Total 700 prescriptions were collected from 700 patients and prescriptions were analyzed for total and an average number of drugs per prescription, duration of treatment, dosage form, drug encounter with antibiotics and another group of drugs also percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names.

Results: After analyzing the prescriptions, the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.14 and the range of drugs prescribed were varied from 1-5. Total drugs prescribed were 1502 with 7 different dosage forms. Most commonly prescribed were antibiotics (28.14%) followed by antihistamines (14.285) and vitamins and minerals (14.28%). Thirdly ocular lubricants were frequently prescribed (12.12%). Fluoroquinolones (moxifloxacin) were very commonly prescribed in antibiotics. The common prescription writing errors were very minimal.