Study on Prescribing Pattern in Skin Department of a Teaching Hospital

Epidemiology of skin diseases has been studied and evaluated occasionally. In view of high incidence of skin diseases and economic burden that it poses, there is a need to evaluate the present epidemiology and prescribing pattern of skin disorders.

This study was undertaken to analyze the prescribing pattern of drugs used for various skin diseases in dermatology department.

The present study was conducted in the department of Dermatologyat MVJMC&RH, Hoskote, Bangalore. It was an observational, descriptive study for a period of one year (June 2012-June 2013). After obtaining the institutional ethical committee clearance, prescriptions given by the dermatologist to patients with skin diseases were collected and were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Of the total prescriptions (216); 73.14% were antibiotics, followed by antihistaminics (44.4%). About 77% of the drugs were prescribed by brand names and only 22.28% prescriptions had generic names. Tablets (62.28%) were the preferred dosage form among prescriptions. It was evident through prescriptions that pyoderma (12.09%) was the most common skin disease reported. In the prescribing pattern polypharmacy (5 or more drugs per prescription) was noted in 36.57% of prescriptions with an average of 3.44 drugs per prescription.

In our current study it was quite evident-polypharmacy, use of brand names and systemic route of administration were predominant among prescriptions. Prescribing topical preparations whenever possible, minimal and rational use of drugs for treating skin diseases needs to be encouraged. This warrants a need for a regular prescription audit, which can be a guiding tool for the prescribers.