Drug utilization evaluation of cardiovascular drugs in outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital: a descriptive observational study

Introduction: Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) is a system of ongoing, systematic, criteria-based evaluation of drug use that will help ensure that medicines are used appropriately (at the individual patient level). Methodology: It was an Observational Descriptive Study. Drug Utilization data was obtained from the prescriptions of the patients attending cardiology outpatient department in Government General Hospital. The data was collected and Defined Daily Dose of frequently prescribed drugs and prescribing indicators were assessed. Results: Out of 569 patients, males and females were 287 and 282 respectively.51-60 years age group was commonly affected. Rural people were commonly affected than urban people. Hypertension was found to be major risk factor among the study participants. Coronary artery disease was the most commonly diagnosed disease. Clopidogrel, Atorvastatin, Isosorbide Dinitrate and Aspirin are most commonly prescribed. The average number of drugs per prescription was found to be 4.17. Percentage of drugs prescribed from National Essential Drugs list was 89.5% .The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 72.8% Conclusion: The most commonly prescribed medications are Clopidogrel, Atorvastatin, Isosorbide Dinitrate and Aspirin. Polypharmacy was not observed. Percentage of drugs prescribed by Generic name should be improved.