Extensive use of Analgesics as the Principal Prescribed Drugs in Hospital of Third Level

Abstract

Background. The dispensation of drugs as oral unitary doses is a scientifically designed and tested system that improves the safety of the patient and therapeutic quality in hospitals. The knowledge about the pattern of prescription and consumption of solid oral drugs dispensed as unitary doses (UD) in Mexico is sparing.

Purpose. The aim of this study is to describe the pattern of prescription and consumption of solid oral drugs dispensed as unitary doses (UD) in a third level hospital of Mexico.

Methodology: The careful preparation and complete identification of unitary doses using  medical packaging Inc. by Auto-print unit dose systems and software Win Pak 4.0JU (drugs, doses, lot, pharmacological activities, expiration date, bar code, and patient´s name) in the process of drug used contributes to reducing adverse events related with accurate use of the drug. A retrospective study with data collection of a 60-month period (5 years) was carried out to know the pattern of drugs dispensed as UD in a third level hospital.

Results. Among the principal drugs consumed were analgesic, antihypertensive, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, and diuretics. The dispensation of drugs per year was as follows: 181 drugs with 85167 UD in first year; 199 with 90519 UD in second year; 193 with 101479 UD in third year; 195 with 100798 UD in fourth year; and 198 with 103913 UD in fifth year.

Conclusion: The findings confirm that prescription and consumption of unitary doses in the hospitalization service increased and revealed the extensive use of analgesics as the principal prescribed drug in this kind of hospital.