Study of Prescribing Pattern and Utilization of Drugs in Patients with Renal Diseases

Abstract Background: Due to comorbidities and polypharmacy, renal failure is a global public health concern with rising incidence, prevalence, poor outcomes, and high management costs. The current study aims to investigate the utilization pattern in patients with chronic renal illness. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional analysis was conducted over a 1.5-year period (December 2022 to April 2024) with consent from the institutional ethical committee to assess the prescription pattern and drug usage in patients with renal disorders. The MGM Hospital’s outpatient nephrology department in Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, was the site of this investigation. Results: Sixty six percent of the 130 patient prescriptions were from the NLEM, with 71.16% of the prescriptions for brand drugs and 28.83% for generic names. Of all the recommended medicines, 43.52% were vitamins, 24.25% were anti-hypertensives, and 5.64% were antibiotics. Conclusions: The study discovered significant heterogeneity in prescription patterns, primarily as a result of physicians’ inclination to recommend branded medications. By comprehending these trends, healthcare providers may better serve this population’s needs and enhance patient outcomes. The study emphasizes how important it is to have better prescription recommendations for generic medications.