Assessment of Rationality in the Use of Veterinary Drugs in the Valley of Kashmir

Background: The study of rationality in the use of commonly prescribed drugs especially antibiotics and anthelmintics in the Central Kashmir in a retrospective manner of two years from April, 2019 to April, 2021. Methods: A retrospective study was designed to assess rationality of drug use at 4 locations i.e. Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC) FVSc. and A.H Shuhama SKUAST Kashmir, Intensive Cattle Development Centre (ICDC) Saloora Ganderbal (Department of Animal Husbandry, Govt. of J and K), Intensive Cattle Development Centre (ICDC) Bakura, Ganderbal (Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Govt of J and K) and Poultry Section of District Veterinary Hospital Ganderbal (Dept. of Animal Husbandry Govt. of J and K). Result: A total of 4116 cases were recorded and a total of 11132 medicines/drugs were prescribed. The average number of drugs per prescription came out to be 2.7. Out of all the drugs used 12.10 % were antimicrobials, 3.94% were anthelmintics and 83.96% were other drugs. The most commonly used antibiotics and anthelmintics came out to be Enrofloxacin (17.22%), Ceftriaxone (13.81%), Ivermectin (23.29%) and Fenbendazole (27.17%). The results revealed the therapy to be deviating from rational guidelines as per WHO (2012) set for humans. The irrational, injudicious and indiscriminate use of drugs in veterinary practice leads to the increase in the menace of drug resistance and more chances of drug residues in animal foods like meat, milk, chicken, eggs etc.Background: The study of rationality in the use of commonly prescribed drugs especially antibiotics and anthelmintics in the Central Kashmir in a retrospective manner of two years from April, 2019 to April, 2021.