Evaluation of the Drug Utilization Pattern of Pre and Post Operative Medicines used in Surgical Department: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Surgery is the art of treating lesions and malformations of the human body which involves various surgical techniques. Various classes of drugs are being used in the surgery but unfortunately, the drug utilization pattern of these drugs particularly in developing countries like India is still unsatisfactory. Thus, there is a need to conduct drug utilization studies of various medicines used in the surgical department. Objective: The main objective of the current study is to evaluate the drug utilization pattern of pre and post- operative medicines used in surgery to promote the rational use of medicines. Material and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of 6 months (November 2017 to April 2018) from in Global Hospital, Jalandhar, Punjab, India. A consent form has been designed and filled by the patients after explaining the aims and objectives of the study. The case record form (CRF) has been designed to collect all the relevant information from the surgery patients. Results: A total of 271 cases have been reported and evaluated. 58.0% of patients were female and 42.0% of patients were male. The most common surgery was nailing, plating and knee replacement. In pre and post-operative procedures, the most common medicines prescribed were a combination of antimicrobials and antacids followed by anti-emetics, analgesics. Conclusion: The prescribed medicines were less from the National Essential Medical List (EML) which should be increase in future.