Medication therapy management services and pharmacovigilance studies in tuberculosis patients: A patient care aspect in the pulmonology department in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Tuberculosis is fundamentally a disease of the lungs, however, it can influence any organ in the body. Objectives: Primary objective was to improve the patient compliance or medication adherence and to identify, detect, monitor ADRs induced by anti-tubercular drugs and report them. A secondary objective was to prevent the emergence of drug resistance and treatment of prolongation/failure in TB patients.

A prospective, observational, cohort study was carried out for 6-months in tertiary care hospital. There were 60 patients included in the study. The data were evaluated for patients’ demographic profile, type of TB, medication adherence and occurrence of ADRs. Adverse drug reactions were observed and recorded. The causality of ADRs was assessed using WHO-causality assessment scale and Naranjo causality assessment scale. The severity of ADRs was determined using Hartwig’s severity assessment scale.

Total of 60 patients were included in the study. Results showed that among 60 patients included in the study, 44 patients experienced ADRs. Among all age groups, the highest numbers of ADRs were seen in the age group 19-30 (43.1%) years. The occurrence of ADRs was noticed more in females (77.7%). The majority of ADRs occurred in patients was general (28.4%), and gastrointestinal effects (23.8%).

Adherence to treatment is crucial for the cure of individual patients, controlling the spread of infection, minimizing the development of drug resistance and to reduce the chances of-re-infection. Proper therapeutic monitoring of regimen, dose management, and pharmacovigilance activities are necessary. Such approaches will not only improve the treatment outcomes but also minimizes the chances of treatment prolongation/failure. All the health care professionals should interpret their responsibility in this domain of the health care profession.