Current inclination of the clinicians for prescribing various fixed dose combinations: a retrospective, obsevational study in medicine outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital in Jaipur

Abstract

Introduction: Rational use of drugs is mandatory for improving the quality of life, optimal utilization of our meagre financial resources, and better community healthcare fulfilling the “rule of right and need, efficacy, suitability, safety, and affordability criteria.” Despite this many irrational fixed dose combinations (FDCs) are continuously springing up in the Indian pharmaceutical market. Hence, it becomes crucial to evaluate the prescribing patterns of FDCs - the current trends and the loopholes.

Methodology: This study was carried out in the outpatient department of medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur. Total 500 prescriptions were collected for the duration of 6 months, starting from February 2014 and assessed. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel® version 2007.

Results: The data analysis reflected that 60% of prescriptions analyzed contained FDCs; revealing that significantly high number of patients received FDCs. The total number of FDCs in a prescription was also greater (mean = 1.82). Out of 60 FDCs prescribed only three of them were enlisted in the Essential Medicine List of World Health Organization and Government of India.

Conclusion: The increased trend in using irrational FDC warrants a drug regulatory body in every hospital to ameliorate the free flow of irrational FDCs. Awareness programs focusing on deleterious consequences related to irrational use of medicines should be made.