Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 6 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 50-54
Pharmacoeconomical Analysis of Commonly Prescribed Antimicrobial Agents in Patients with Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) in a Tertiary Care Center. A Retrospective Institutional Based Observational Study
Rupendra K. Bharti1, Pratima Koshewara2, Joginder S. Pathania3
1MD (Pharmacology) Late. BRKM Govt. Medical College, Dimrapal, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
2MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) Late. BRKM Govt. Medical College, Dimrapal, Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
3MD (Pharmacology) Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Corresponding Author: Pratima Koshewara
ABSTRACT
Objective: Pharmacoeconomical analysis of the commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents in patients with Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in a tertiary care center.
Material and Methods: It was a retrospective observational study carried out on 69 indoor patients of CAP in IGMC, Shimla. The details of prescribed drugs were taken from the patients’ files procured from the medical record department of the institution. A comparison was made between the expenditure occurred on using prescribed (Branded) drugs with that of generic drugs. Statistical analysis of the data was done by using SPSS 16.0.
Results: The age distribution pattern of the studied patients was 61-70 years (37.5%) followed by 51-60 years (26.08%) and the mean duration of hospital stay was 7.53 days. The most frequently prescribed drugs were Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid (59.42%), Piperacillin with Tazobactam (55.07%), Azithromycin (46.37%) and Oseltamivir (34.78%). The mean difference between per day cost of generic drugs and branded drugs was (M [I-Q]) [506.04(13.5-2595.0)] and [2269.5 (78.06-12571.0)] respectively.
Conclusion: After statistical analysis, it was concluded that the use of generic drugs in the treatment of CAP is more cost-effective as compared to the use of Branded drugs. Hence, we should emphasize on the use of generic drugs (as these drugs are more pocket-friendly) keeping in view the financial status of most of the people of our country. Simultaneously, we should keep a close check on the quality of the generic drugs so that the health benefits of the patients are not jeopardized.
Key words: Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Pharmaco-Economical, Analysis, Branded drugs, Generic Drugs
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