PATTERN OF DRUG UTILIZATION DURING PREGNANCY AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL – A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

1) To assess the drug utilisation pattern in pregnancy.

2) To assist in ensuring rational drug therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A prospective, cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Obstetrics & Gynaecology Out Patient Department of KRIMS, Karwar. 546 pregnant women aged 18-40 years were included. Data collected from prescriptions was analysed for adherence to WHO core prescribing indicators and classified as per the US Food and Drug Administration pregnancy categories.

RESULTS:

The average age of study participants was 26.96 years with urban preponderance (77.65%). Morning sickness (35.71%) and Upper respiratory tract infections (20.7%) were the most frequent ailments encountered. 6383 drugs were prescribed in 2555 prescriptions with an average of 2.5 drugs per prescription. Iron and calcium supplements (28.75% each) were the most common drugs prescribed. 12.25% prescriptions had fixed dose combinations. 86.28% of drugs were from the National List of Essential Medicine and majority of drugs belonged to FDA pregnancy category B (39.02%).

CONCLUSION

Rational prescribing was demonstrated in our study by fewer number of drugs per prescription and lesser utilisation of antibiotics and injections. Generic names were commonly used and drugs were selected from NLEM. It is essential to prescribe medicines with established efficacy and safety to ensure maternal and foetal well-being