ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT PRESCRIBING PATTERN AND COST ANALYSIS OF ORAL ANTI-DIABETIC DRUGS IN ELDERLY POPULATION FROM PUNGANUR REGION OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of the study is to analyze the prescribing patterns and cost-effective analysis of single therapy and combination therapy oral anti-diabetic drugs, awareness of patients about diabetes, medication and lifestyle modification in the geriatrics population. Methods: A prospective study was carried out over a period of 12 mo in the region of Punganur Andhra Pradesh. Type 2 diabetic patients who were on oral anti-diabetic drugs were enrolled in the study. A suitable data collection form was prepared and used to collect the required data. The demographic data, disease data and the utilization of various oral anti-diabetic agents were analyzed. About 800 patients were enrolled for the study from rural and urban areas in Punganur. Among the study population, 63% (504) were males and 37% (296) were females in the age group of 55 y and above. The majority of patients were from urban areas 70% (560) and 30% (240) were from rural areas. About 78 % of the patients have a history of diabetes more than 10 y and 22% were more than 5 y and less than 10 y. Results: The present study found that type 2diabetes was prevalent in males than females. Results show two anti-diabetic drugs of single drug and fixed dose combination per prescription was more than the single anti-diabetic drug also found new prescription was observed more and cost of treatment was immense when compared to old prescription. Prescription pattern exposed Glibenclamide, Metformin, Glipizide and Glimepiride were the most common drugs used among the various oral antidiabetics. Currently, newer drug DPPi 4 inhibitors like Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin and Teneligliptin are used as single and combination with metformin were increased in prescription. Among the various oral antidiabetics prescribed, the cost of 2 drugs per prescription and newer anti-diabetic drugs like DPPi4 was high but cost analysis study revealed the availability low cost brands in market. Conclusion: The study concluded that Prescription pattern and cost analysis of marketed anti-diabetic drug might be helpful for the professional to prescribe low cost effective medication.