A STUDY OF DRUG UTILIZATION IN PATIENTS OF CARCINOMA BREAST RECEIVING SYSTEMIC CHEMOTHERAPY IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS

SUCHI SHAH; ANIL SINGH; SHAILESH MUNDHAVA

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2021.v14i4.40826

Authors

SUCHI SHAH Department of Pharmacology, BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad.
ANIL SINGH Department of Pharmacology, PDU Medical College, Rajkot.
SHAILESH MUNDHAVA Department of Pharmacology, PDU Medical College, Rajkot.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2021.v14i4.40826

Keywords:

Carcinoma breast, Drug utilization, Systemic chemotherapy, Rational drug use

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to study drug utilization in patients with breast carcinoma receiving systemic chemotherapy in government as well as private set-up.

Methods: This was a record-based, retrospective-prospective study, analyzing the prescription pattern of drugs used for systemic chemotherapy in patients diagnosed with carcinoma breast at government teaching hospital (GTH) and private trust hospital (PTH) for 1 year in 600 patients. Patient’s demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were collected from the files and personal interviews and analyzed in Microsoft Excel.

Results: Diagnosis of breast carcinoma was highest in age bracket of 40–49 years (32.33% GTH and 32.67% PTH), and the most common presenting symptom was painless lump (76.33% GTH and 83% PTH). In GTH, most frequently prescribed regimen was 4AC → 4T → RT (17.33%). In PTH, most commonly prescribed regimen was 6FEC → RT (19.33%). Highest prescribed drugs were A (32.8%), C (29.12%), and F (20.24%) in GTH and A (32.26%), F (31.68%), and E (16.45%) in PTH. Average number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 12.55 and 11.37; percentage of chemotherapeutic agents prescribed by generic name was 100 and 95.02, and from the WHO essential drug list (2015) was 96.43 and 82.77 in GTH and PTH, respectively (A= Cyclophosphamide, C= Doxorubicin, T=Taxanes [Paclitaxel/Docetaxel], F=5-fluorouracil, E=Epirubicin, RT=Radiotherapy, → followed by, the number indicates chemotherapy cycle).

Conclusion: The study results can help in generating local data regarding drug use pattern of the systemic chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer patients and promote rational drug use.

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Author Biographies

ANIL SINGH, Department of Pharmacology, PDU Medical College, Rajkot.

MD in Pharmacology

Professor and head, Department of pharmacology, PDU medical college, Rajkot, Gujarat, India

SHAILESH MUNDHAVA, Department of Pharmacology, PDU Medical College, Rajkot.

MD (pharmacology)

Assistant professor, department of pharmacology, PDU medical college, Rajkot, Gujarat, India

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