A Study of Drug Utilization Pattern (DUP), at Dental Outpatient Department of a Teaching Institution, in South Delhi, India

Rational prescribing aims at improving the clinical condition, thereby improving the quality of life at affordable cost to the patient. Therefore it is important to know the pattern of drug prescribing in a particular set up. The present study was conducted with an objective to evaluate drug utilization pattern (DUP), at dental outpatient department of a teaching Institution, in south Delhi, India. The study design was prospective and cross sectional. Data from 1000 eligible dental prescriptions during consecutive 4 months was taken from September 2015-january 2016, as per ethical norms. Data was presented as tables and graphs. The prescriptions were analyzed using WHO core indicators. Out of 1000 dental prescriptions, 783 were having prescribed systemic medications. The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.89 and only 0.55% drugs were prescribed by generic name. The number of drugs given by injectable route was only 3%. Total number of prescriptions having antimicrobials were prescribed were (56%). The drugs prescribed from National essential medicine list (NEML) were 80%. We can conclude that there is a need to establish Drug and Therapeutic committees at dental hospitals and to sensitize dental practitioners for rational prescribing at affordable cost to patient. Polypharmacy and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials need to be minimized to prevent drug resistance. Continuing Medical Education (CMEs) and workshops should be conducted from time to time to create awareness regarding the rational use of drugs and to inculcate ethical etiquettes, not to indulge in malpractice.