Glaucoma Therapy: Prescribing Pattern and Cost Analysis
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Date
2004-04
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Abstract
In the present study out of total 200 prescriptions of POAG (primary open angle glaucoma) studied
66% were found to be of monotherapy including timolol, brimonidine, pilocarpine, betaxolol, levobunolol,
latanoprost and apraclonidine in 30%, 15 %, 6%, 8% , 4%, 1% and 2% of the prescriptions respectively
and 34% were found to be of polypharmacy with timolol+pilocarpine, timolol+acetazolamide, timolol+
brimonidine and betaxolol+brimonidine in 13%, 4%, 8% and 9% of the prescriptions respectively.
10% drugs were prescribed by generic name. Written instruction to the patients regarding dose and
dosing interval was mentioned in 100% prescriptions, but the proper method of instillation was
mentioned only in 15% of the prescriptions. Results of the present study clearly indicated urgent
need for prescribers to improve their communication skills, to give proper instructions to the patient
regarding instillation of drug, as little bit of caution like instillation from the side of the eye in the
supine position followed by rolling of the eyeball can decrease the wastage, decrease cost and
improve compliance. However, in the present scenario cost of the traditional medications like betablockers,
pilocarpine etc. is found to be much less than newer medications (prostaglandin analogues,
brimonidine). Moreover, in presence of wide cost variation among various brands of the same drug
our study could help the opthalmologist to use all possible measures of pharmacoeconomics while
prescribing an antiglaucoma drug.
Description
Keywords
Prescribing Pattern, Generic, Glaucoma
Citation
Sharma Rashmi, Khajuria Ruchi, Sharma Pushpinder, Sadhotra p, Kapoor B, Kohli K, Sharma C I. Glaucoma Therapy: Prescribing Pattern and Cost Analysis. JK Science Journal of Medical Education and Research. 2004 Apr-June;6(2): 88-92