An Observation Study to Evaluate the Drug Utilization Pattern for Oral Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Treatment at a Private and Government Tertiary Care Hospital in Jaipur City

Abstract

Background: As oral cavity and oropharynx cancers are the second most common type of tobacco-related cancer reported in Jaipur city so it is imperative to study the drug utilization pattern in these cancers. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the trends in drug usage patterns for oral cancer patients in Jaipur city. Methods: The prescriptions of oral cancer patients attending the outpatient department of SMS Medical College and Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer and Research Centre from May 2017 to August 2017 were studied. They were studied for WHO Prescribing indicators for good prescribing practice. Results: A total of 188 prescriptions were studied. Average number of drugs per prescription was 7.4±1.8. The combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin was the most frequently prescribed antineoplastic drug, prescribed to 29.8% of patients. The drafting of the prescriptions was of average quality. In 5% of the prescriptions, a diagnosis was omitted, and in 48% of the prescriptions, the patient’s weight and/or body surface area (BSA) were omitted. Only 52% of the prescriptions contained the medications’ generic names. Conclusion: The quality of prescribing was fair and moderately acceptable. To ensure rational prescribing and safe and successful treatment of cancer patients, interventions such as new policy formulation and educational measures should be developed.

Keywords

• drug utilization
• chemotherapy
• oral cancers
• prescribing pattern