A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY IN DRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, GUJARAT

Objective: The point of this observational study was to look at how inpatients at our tertiary care facility used medications. The goal was to find ways to improve prescription practices for people with drug-resistant tuberculosis. Methods: The respiratory ward medical record department serves as the retrospective source of data. We enrolled a total of 301 patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis. We assess drug utilization data using the World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose approach. We analyzed prescriptions using World Health Organization core drug indicators. Results: Adherence to international standards was demonstrated by the prescription of most antibiotics at dosages consistent with the recommended daily dose. Antibiotic polypharmacy (100%) was common with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (64.1%), proton pump inhibitors (61.5%), vitamins and minerals (77.7%), and generic names (92%) that were frequently provided with oral medications (77%). The National List of Essential Medicines 2022 contained information on approximately 95% of all prescribed drugs. Conclusion: Drug costs were significantly impacted by the fact that antibiotics were the most often-given drugs, accompanied by vitamins and minerals, NSAIDs, and proton pump inhibitors. Limiting the use of more costly, recent antibiotics, branded medications, and the number of medications given can drastically lower the cost of drug therapy.