Abstract

PRESCRIBING TRENDS OF ANTI-ULCERANT DRUGS BY GENERIC NAMES IN DHAKA CITY OF BANGLADESH

Muhammad Rashedul Islam*, Shadid Uz Zaman, Md. Elias-Al-Mamun Mohammad Aziz Ullah

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the prescribing preference of anti-ulcerant drugs among the physicians and dentists of Dhaka City, Bangladesh by generic names. A questionnaire-based field survey was conducted on the physicians and dentists of Dhaka City by personal interview and the responses were noted. The questionnaire included variables like overall preference of anti-ulcerant drug, preference for pediatric, geriatric and pregnant patients, cause for preference, and age group of patients who were prescribed anti-ulcerant drugs. The survey had a response rate of 82.9%. Overall, Esomeprazole was the most preferred molecule (32.3% of total responses) but for pregnant women pantoprazole was most preferred (40.3%). The study found that most physicians don’t prefer anti-ulcerant drugs for pediatric patients, and do not have particular preference for geriatric patients. Efficacy and Safety were the most concerning factors when choosing a specific anti-ulcerant drug. Patients of 30-50 years of age were most commonly prescribed anti-ulcerant drugs. It was concluded from the study that the physicians and dentists of Dhaka City, Bangladesh are leaned towards safe and efficacious Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs.

Keywords: Anti-ulcerant drugs, Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), Histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), pregnant patients, patient’s age.