Evaluation of Drug Utilization in Liver Diseases by using WHO Prescribing Indicators in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan

Drug use evaluation is a key tool for promotion of rational utilizations of drug and quality of life in our society. The aim of this study was to assess the drug utilization pattern in liver disorders by using WHO Core Prescribing Indicators. A descriptive study was performed in General Medicine Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital at Hyderabad for the period of six months. A total of 384 prescriptions were gathered from inpatients records. A specially prescribing indicator form was used for collection of data and analysis of results: gender (male = 57.8%, female = 41.9%), most affected age group (50-59 = 23.7%), most prevalent disease cirrhosis (33.7%) were observed. A total of 1858 medicines were prescribed, of which, 19.8% medicines prescribed by generic names. Almost all drugs prescribed were included in the NLEM of Pakistan. The prescribing practices for antibiotic, injections, and use ofgeneric name showed deviation from the standard recommended by WHO.