What is it about?
This study examined how antidiabetic drugs were prescribed to patients with diabetes in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Sikkim over one year. It assessed which medicines were most commonly used, how often single-drug versus combination therapy was chosen, and whether prescribing patterns aligned with national and international treatment guidelines. The analysis found that metformin was the most widely prescribed drug, followed by sulfonylureas and insulin. Combination therapy was much more common than monotherapy, and insulin use was particularly frequent among inpatients. The study also evaluated how often drugs from the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and generic prescriptions were used
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Why is it important?
Diabetes is highly prevalent in India, and correct prescribing is central to preventing complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and neuropathy. Understanding real-world prescribing patterns helps identify whether clinicians are following evidence-based standards and where improvements are needed. This study highlights good alignment with recommended guidelines—especially the appropriate emphasis on metformin as first-line therapy—while drawing attention to areas such as low rates of generic prescribing. These insights are important for improving treatment quality, ensuring cost-effective care, and guiding local policy in a resource-limited setting like Sikkim.
Perspectives
For clinicians: The strong reliance on metformin and rational combinations is consistent with current best practices, but more consistent use of generics could reduce treatment costs. For hospital administrators and policymakers: The data support the need for continued adherence monitoring, formulary strengthening, and promoting NLEM-based prescribing. For public health planners: The high burden of comorbid conditions, especially hypertension, underscores the need for integrated chronic disease management strategies. For patients: The findings show that treatment practices largely follow modern clinical guidance, improving the chances of better long-term control and fewer complications.
Prof (Dr) Supratim Datta
Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Utilization study of antidiabetic agents in a teaching hospital of Sikkim and adherence to current standard treatment guidelines, Journal of Pharmacy And Bioallied Sciences, January 2016, Medknow,
DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.175975.
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