RESUMEN
Many irrational fixed-dose combination (FDC) medicines have been approved by the state and central regulatory authorities in India and their use is promoted extensively by pharmaceutical firms. In this study, we examine the previously-neglected role of physicians in India, as their prescriptions are essential for the continued proliferation of FDCs. Primarily using longitudinal data on prescriptions by 4600 physicians spanning 19 disciplinary categories for 48 months between 2008 and 2011 provided by IMS Medical Audit, we study 201 medicines in the cardiovascular and oral-antidiabetic markets. We find that 129.6 million (8.1%) prescriptions for irrational FDCs were written by the sample of physicians in India during the study period, half of which were written by cardiologists and consulting physicians. A further analysis of the regional markets reveals that cardiologists prescribe more irrational FDCs in the richer, metropolitan cities of western India. We also document the role of medical practitioners without an undergraduate degree in medicine in generating prescriptions for irrational FDCs. Our results suggest that an effective government strategy to curb irrational FDCs must recognize that spreading greater awareness about the perils of irrational FDCs is at best an incomplete solution to the problem in India as many who prescribe them are specialists. Organizations such as the Indian Medical Association must develop clear guidelines to stop prescribing such FDCs.
Asunto(s)
Combinación de Medicamentos , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/normas , Rol Profesional/psicología , Ética Farmacéutica , Humanos , India , Estudios Longitudinales , Auditoría Médica , Medicina/estadística & datos numéricos , Medicina/tendencias , Pautas de la Práctica en Medicina/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
CONTEXT: There is a growing concern about ever-burgeoning list of irrational fixed dose combinations (FDCs) which have flooded pharmaceutical market recently in India. Till date no structured study has evaluated the level of understanding among the dental clinicians and residents about these concepts. The present study is designed to fulfil that lacuna. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice, regarding the use of FDCs by the dental residents and dental clinicians in a tertiary care teaching dental hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out among postgraduate students and dental clinicians working at Rajasthan Dental College, a tertiary care teaching dental hospital, in Jaipur, India. Sixty residents and 77 dental clinicians from the departments of Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Pedodontics who gave their informed consent were enrolled. A prevalidated questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitude and prescribing practice of fixed dose combinations was filled up. Data was analysed with suitable statistical tests. RESULTS: Out of the 60 residents and 77 dental clinicians recruited for the study, none of them were aware about all of the advantages and disadvantages of FDCs. On an average, only 47% of residents and 61% dental clinicians were aware of FDC included in WHO Essential Medicines List (EML). Only 47% residents and 58% dental clinicians could recall a single banned FDC in India. Common sources of information about FDCs were Monthly Index of Medical Specialities (MIMS), medical representatives and internet. The most commonly prescribed irrational FDC was diclofenac + paracetamol combination, 42% residents and 41% dental clinicians and residents believed that regular Continuous Medical Education (CMEs) stressing upon rational use of medicine could reduce the magnitude of this problem. CONCLUSION: It is the need of the hour to reduce the magnitude of this problem by sensitizing dental residents and prescribers regarding the efficacy, safety, suitability, rationality and cost benefit of FDCs available for patient use.