Volume :
5
Issue :
4
Abstract :
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frequently used in patients who do not meet the criteria for appropriate use. Reducing inappropriate prescribing of PPIs in the inpatient and outpatient settings can minimize potential for adverse events, and can also help in controlling cost expenditure. The objective of the study is to determine the appropriateness and compare the cost of prescriptions of PPIs. A prospective observational study was conducted at a 750 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital in Coimbatore. The data were collected during regular ward rounds. The appropriateness was analyzed using the FDA guidelines. A total of 209 patients was included in the study as per the inclusion criteria. In the study population pantoprazole was the most frequently prescribed in 144 (68.89%) patients, followed by esomeprazole in 46 (22.01%) patients, rabeprazole in 17 (8.13%) patients and omeprazole in 2 (0.95%) patients. Out of 209 patients 115 (55.02%) prescriptions were found to be appropriate and 94 (44.98%) prescriptions were found to be inappropriate as per the guidelines. The majority of the inappropriate prescriptions contained pantoprazole followed by esomeprazole and rabeprazole. The cost of treatment can be reduced in 94 patients who have been prescribed with PPIs inappropriately. The results revealed that interventions made by the pharmacist avoided the inappropriate use of PPI at the study site. Most of the inappropriate prescriptions were consisting increased frequency of dosing and utilizing PPIs for prophylactic use. The need for PPI use in the individual patient must be evaluated by the pharmacist and if any possible alternatives are found to be effective the same can be reported to the physician. The regular monitoring of prescription of PPI by clinical pharmacist is the need of the hour.