Key result
Elderly outpatient evaluation shows adequate drug labeling in only ~1% of dispensed prescriptions.
Why the study?
The study aimed to determine the pattern of drug usage in terms of patient-care, facility care, and complementary drug use indicators among elderly people.
Cross-Sectional (n=403)
No
There are significant gaps in patient knowledge and medication labeling among elderly outpatients in Western Nepal, highlighting the need for systemic improvements in pharmacy dispensing practices.
Prescription patterns in elderly outpatients largely meet WHO indicators; leaves open whether interventions can curb polypharmacy and dosing inaccuracies in practice.
Objective: The current study aims to determine the pattern of drug usage in terms of patient-care, facility care, and complementary drug use indicators among elderly people. Methods: The study was a prospective cross-sectional study that was conducted in the outpatient department. Patient-care, facility care, and complementary drug use indicators were assed as per the WHO/INRUD indicators. Patient/patient party knowledge of correct dose was analyzed by the information; time of administration (when) and quantity of drugs to be taken (how much). Results: The duration of consultation in the ophthalmology department was comparatively longer (30.33 min) than in other departments. The dispensing time of the medicine department was 126.60 s which was higher than other departments. Among the total medicines, 88.58% were dispensed, 21 (1.06%) of the total drugs had the patient’s name labeled on the envelope while 1430 (81.53%) of the drugs had drug name and 1617 (92.19%) only had the administration time labeled on the envelope. On interviewing patients/patient parties, 240 (59.55%) knew both the time of administration and the number of drugs to be taken. The average medicine cost encountered per patient was found to be Nepalese rupees (NRs.) 1353±1079 NRs. (US$ 11.57±9.23). Conclusion: It is concluded that systematic changes need to be applied to improve the patient knowledge, to deliver quality advice to the patients, and to maintain the process of adequate labeling in medications.
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Giri et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Elderly outpatients (n=403). Outpatient healthcare and pharmacy services was evaluated on WHO/INRUD patient-care, facility care, and complementary drug use indicators. Evaluation of WHO/INRUD indicators among elderly outpatients revealed that 88.58% of prescribed medicines were dispensed, but only 1.06% were adequately labeled with the patient's name.
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