Study of prescribing pattern of topical corticosteroids in the department of dermatology of a multispecialty tertiary care teaching hospital in south India

Saravanakumar RT; Prasad GS; Ragul G; Mohanta GP; Manna PK; Moorthi C

Saravanakumar RT ⁽¹⁾ , Prasad GS ⁽²⁾ , Ragul G ⁽³⁾ , Mohanta GP ⁽⁴⁾ , Manna PK ⁽⁵⁾ , Moorthi C ⁽⁶⁾

(1) Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, India ,

(2) Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, India ,

(3) Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, India ,

(4) Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, India ,

(5) Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, India ,

(6) Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, India

Issue
Vol. 3 No. 4 (2012): Volume 3 Issue 4

Keywords:

Dermatological Practice, Irrational Use of Drugs, Non-Specific Use of Drugs, Prescribing Pattern, Topical Corticosteroids, Corticosteroids

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Abstract

Dermatological conditions account for up to 2% of consultations in general practice worldwide. In developing countries, irrational use of drug/non-specific use of drug leads to scarcity of drug resources and increases the expenditure and burden to government/patients to treat the adverse clinical consequences of the drug. This study has been undertaken to evaluate the disease pattern and prescribing pattern of topical corticosteroids among inpatients in the department of dermatology of a multispecialty tertiary care teaching hospital. The present study was carried out in the dermatology department of multispecialty tertiary care teaching hospital. Prescriptions of both male and female inpatients of all age groups, who have moderate to severe dermatological problem, were included in the study. A total of 55 dermatological inpatient prescriptions were collected and analyzed. The prevalence of psoriasis was higher followed by dermatitis. The topical corticosteroids prescribed belong to very potent and potent groups. It was found that physician do not prescribe corticosteroids unless the diagnosis is reasonably certain.