Utilization study of antidiabetic agents

What is it about?

This study was conducted to study the demographic profile of diabetic patients, analyze the utilization of antidiabetic agents, and observe adherence to current standard treatment guidelines in this tertiary care teaching hospital.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

According to the International Diabetes Federation, 387 million people globally suffer from diabetes which is estimated to rise to 592 million by 2035. The prevalence of diabetes in India, which was 31.7 million in 2000, has since climbed to 65.1 million in 2013 and is projected to reach 79.4 million by 2030. India has the dubious distinction of being the diabetes capital of the world with the number of diabetics far exceeding that of China and America. India is also the largest contributor of diabetes‑related mortality in South East Asia accounting for 1.1 million deaths in 2013. Diabetes is thus a major health problem worldwide and even more so in India. Diabetes‑related complications and disease progression can only be impeded by timely detection, lifestyle modification, and optimal glycemic control, by making the best use of currently available therapeutic options. The WHO defines drug utilization studies as “The marketing, distribution, prescription, and the use of drugs in a society, with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social, and economic consequences.” Prescription pattern surveys are an important methodological instrument of drug utilization research, which help to provide an in‑depth insight into the disease profile of patients and prescribing behavior of clinicians. Such studies can contribute to the promotion of rational, evidence‑based drug therapy that can in turn help to improve patient care and treatment.