Study on Drug Utilization and Prescribing Patterns of Antibiotics in the Pulmonology Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital
Abstract
Background: The study aimed to evaluate drug utilization and prescribing patterns of antibiotics in the Pulmonology Department of a tertiary care hospital, with emphasis on rationality, adherence to standard treatment guidelines (STGs), and compliance with the National List of Essential Medicines(NLEM).
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pulmonology Department of PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences, Palakkad, including 300 prescriptions from patients diagnosed with respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, WHO core prescribing indicators, and adherence to STGs.
Results: The mean age of the study population was 37.87 ± 22.05 years, with males comprising 53.3%. Cephalosporins (47%) were the most prescribed antibiotics, followed by penicillins (32.7%), macrolides (30.7%), and fluoroquinolones (26.3%). Generic prescribing was minimal (2.2%), while NLEM compliance was high (99.6%). Overall, 9.3% of prescriptions were irrational due to duplication or unnecessary broad-spectrum use.
Conclusion: Although adherence to guidelines was satisfactory, empirical therapy and low generic prescribing remain major issues. Continuous audit and stewardship interventions are vital to promote rational antibiotic use.
Keywords: Antibiotic prescribing, drug utilization, respiratory infections, pulmonology, antimicrobial resistance, stewardship.
Keywords:
Antibiotic prescribing, drug utilization, respiratory infections, pulmonology, antimicrobial resistance, stewardshipDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v15i12.7495References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ranjitha Balan , Josni Jose , Asna , T. Tamil Selvan , M. Shameer Babu
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