Drug utilization studies

The objective of this study was to assess the drug utilization pattern and cost analysis among the inpatients of medical intensive care unit (ICU) of NIMS hospital, Jaipur. After taking Ethics permission , records of 356 patients admitted in the medical ICU of a NIMS hospital were noted. Demographic profile, commonly prescribed drugs as per Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) and WHO core indicators were assessed from the records. Out of 356 inpatients, 224(62.9% ) were males . Most of the patients were in the age group of 61-70 for males 51-60 for females. Most commonly prescribed drugs were antibiotics followed by i.v. fluids. The average number of drugs per prescription was 11.99. Out of 4271 drugs prescribed, 1152(26.97%) were prescribed by generic names. Drugs on WHO EML were only 41% while that of NLEM 2011 were 68% . Drugs used as fixed dose combination were 19.26%. Average cost per prescription was INR 1975. Median length of stay was 6 days. Inspite of the fact that respiratory complications are one of the leading cause of death in critically ill patients and rational drug use plays a pivotal role in reverting the condition , there is a lack of pioneer drug utilization studies in this field. This study gives a message to adopt a cost effective and rational use of drug.