World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

A SINGLE CENTRIC, PROSPECTIVE, OBSERVATIONAL DRUG UTILISATION STUDY OF ORAL HYPOGLYCAEMIC AGENTS AND INSULIN BEING PRESCRIBED TO THE PATIENTS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS, IN THE DIABETES CLINIC OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Anushree Bhoir, Alok M. Mulay*, Amit S. Beldar and Amit S. Mutha

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease which is allied with significant morbidity and complications, especially when it is associated with poor glycaemic control. Hence, meticulous management of diabetes mellitus is very essential. The treatment options for T2DM and prescription of anti-diabetic drugs have increased over the recent years. Appropriate selection of these drugs is therefore extremely important. The main objective of this study was to highlight the current prescribing patterns in T2DM patients with and without other co-morbid conditions. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational descriptive study was carried out for a period of 18 months between June 2018 to November 2019. Patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus visiting the outpatient department of medicine, of a tertiary care hospital were included in this study. Demographic data and prescription details of the included patients were obtained and were recorded in the structured case record form. The cost of drug therapy for each patient was also calculated. Results: A total of 600 patients were enrolled in the study with their mean age being 56.16 ± 12.59 years. Out of the 600 patients, 321 (53.5%) were male and 279 (46.5%) were female. A total of 3385 drugs were prescribed to our study population with the mean of 5.44 ± 0.94 drugs being prescribed per patient. Out of these 3385 drugs, 1381 (40.80%) drugs were anti-diabetic drugs with the mean of 2.10 ± 0.58 drugs per patient. As far as monotherapy is concerned, out of the total 1381 antidiabetic drugs, Metformin was most commonly prescribed {588(42.58%)} followed by Glibenclamide {360 (26.07%)}. On the other hand, the combination of Glimepiride and Metformin was the most frequently prescribed antidiabetic fixed-dose combination. This combination was prescribed in 37 (38.54%) patients out of the 96 who received various antidiabetic fixed-dose combinations. Most commonly prescribed drugs other than antidiabetics were gastro protective drugs 509 (15.04%) and anti-hypertensive drugs 312 (9.22%). The average cost per prescription was 278.95 INR. Conclusion: The most commonly prescribed single anti-diabetic drug was Metformin followed by Glibenclamide. The combination of Metformin and Glimepiride was the most frequent fixed-dose drug combination prescribed. Majority of the prescriptions followed standard guidelines.

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