@article{ABRAHAM_VARUGHESE_CHANDY MATHEW_MARY JOHN_SAM_2015, title={DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN AMONG GERIATRIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL}, volume={8}, url={https://journals.innovareacademics.in/index.php/ajpcr/article/view/8194}, abstractNote={<p>Objectives: The objectives of this study are to assess the prescribing pattern in geriatrics, analyze the prescriptions using World Health Organization<br />(WHO) core prescribing indicators, and to assess the appropriateness of prescriptions using Beers criteria 2012.<br />Methods: This retrospective drug utilization review study was conducted for a period of 6-month. Prescriptions of in-patients above 65 years were<br />collected and documented. Collected data were then analyzed with the WHO core prescribing indicators and 2012 American Geriatrics Society Beers<br />criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults.<br />Results: A total of 205 in-patient prescriptions were collected. The majority of patients (73.66%) were in the age group of 65-74 years. The most<br />commonly found comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Average number of drugs per prescription was 9.09. Percentage of<br />encounters with an antibiotic and injection prescribed were 81.46% and 95.12%, respectively. A total number of drugs prescribed by its generic<br />name were 235 (12.60%). Among 1865 medicines prescribed, 1215 (65.15%) were prescribed from National List of Essential Medicine (NLEM).<br />Gastrointestinal agents (17.28%) were the most frequently prescribed class of drug followed by cardiovascular drugs (17.14%). Based on 2012 Beers<br />criteria, 66 (32.19%) prescriptions were found inappropriate.<br />Conclusions: Our study suggests that current practice in our hospital is associated with greater polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use.<br />Prescribing from NLEM was fair. Use of injectables and antibiotics were high. Drugs prescribed in generic name were low. In future, multidisciplinary<br />approach should be endorsed for rational drug use in the geriatric population.<br />Keywords: Drug utilization, Geriatrics, Beers criteria, National List of Essential Medicine, World Health Organization core prescribing indicators.</p><p> </p>}, number={6}, journal={Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research}, author={ABRAHAM, FEBIN and VARUGHESE, GLADIS and CHANDY MATHEW, JOSEPH and MARY JOHN, PHEBINA and SAM, GLORIA K}, year={2015}, month={Nov.}, pages={191–194} }