Abstract

ASSESMENT OF DRUG RELATED PROBLEMS IN GENERAL MEDICINE INPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A TEACHING HOSPITAL - A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Eldho Mathew Paul*, Abubaker Siddiq, Linda Jacob, Jisna Thomas, Bharathi D.R.

Abstract

Background: In India very limited research has been conducted on drug related problems in hospital inpatients. Most of the previously published studies addressed either the problem of drug-related hospital admissions or focused only on adverse drug reactions. Majority of drug-related problems can be prevented by the interventions suggested by clinical pharmacists. Objectives: To identify the drug related problems in general medicine inpatient department of a teaching hospital. Methodology: It is a prospective observational study conducted for a period of six months. Data was collected from the medical records of in-patients and by patient interview. All the prescriptions were checked for errors by the Micromedex Drug-Reax database, online Medscape, CIMS India etc. Data was analyzed using statistical package of social services (SPSS 19.0). Descriptive methods was applied to obtain frequency of drug related problems, chi square test was applied to determine any significant deference between quantitative variables. Results: out of 313 cases enrolled in the study, 210(67.1%) patients are having atleast one drug related problem. 335 drug related problems are identified. In that 154(49.2%) drug interaction, 58(18.5%) treatment without indication, 36(11.5%) untreated indications, 28(8.9%) under dose, 24(7.7%) adverse drug reactions, 20(6.4%) improper drug selection, 15(4.8%) over dose are identified. Polypharmacy and age has positive impact on drug related problems. Conclusion: Drug related problems are prevalent in hospital inpatients. Pharmacist can play an important role to identify and resolve drug related problems.

Keywords: Drug Related Problems, Adverse Drug Reaction, Drug Interaction.