Abstract
Background: Prescriptions are detailed instructions about a patient’s course of treatment that is provided in writing by a medical professional. Hence, prescription not only manifests the knowledge of medical practitioner but also perspective toward the patient, considering his or her economical and social condition. The study which incorporates components such as availability of drugs, rationality of prescription, cost per prescription, and affordability is called drug utilization study. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drug utilization is the marketing, distribution, prescribing, and use of medications in society with a focus on the ensuing medical, social, and financial repercussions. To confirm the importance of pharmaceuticals in routine medical practice, it is very helpful and effective to study drug utilization and prescription patterns. These studies have a strong emphasis on many facets of drug use, including prescription, administration, effects, and associated occurrences such as positive or negative drug reactions.

Aims and Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the prescription pattern of drugs and their utilization in the outdoor patients of dermatology department of a tertiary care hospital in southern Rajasthan. Our objectives were to assess whether the use of drugs is rational or not and to identify different drugs used in various types of dermatological disorders.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observation study was conducted over a period of 11 months (May 2020–March 2021) on 400 prescriptions. Patients with severe ailments who were shifted indoor, pregnant women, and patients <18 years were excluded from our study. Data were gathered, recorded, and analyzed using statistics in accordance with a predetermined format.

Results: Out of 400 patients included in the study, 64% were males and 36% were female patients. We deduced from this survey that maximum number of patients attending dermatology department were suffering from fungal infection followed by dermatitis. In our study, 508 (41.30%) and 722 (58.69%) of the medicines were delivered topically and orally, respectively. In all patients, topical medications were prescribed to the greatest number of patients. Antihistamines were the medications that were most frequently prescribed in our study, followed by antifungal medications. Tablet levocetirizine is the antihistaminic medicine that is most frequently prescribed, whereas Vitamin E, terbinafine, calcium, and Vitamin D3 are rarely. For a variety of dermatological conditions, the maximum number of patients received three prescription medications. According to the WHO criteria, generic names were prescribed for all of the medications.

Conclusion: This drug prescribing and utilization study gives an idea to the prescriber regarding prevalent disease pattern in the area. It also helps to improve quality of prescription and promote rational and cost effective treatment.

Key words: Prescription Survey; Dermatology; Drugs Utilization Pattern