EVALUATION OF THE PRESCRIPTION PATTERNS OF ANTITUBERCULAR DRUGS AND ASSESSMENT OF DRUG UTILIZATION USING WHO CORE PRESCRIBING INDICATORS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious
agent and among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. AIM: To evaluate the prescription patterns of
antitubercular drugs and assess drug utilization using WHO core prescribing indicators among
tuberculosis patients attending a tertiary care center. METHODOLOGY: This study was a hospital-
based, prospective observational study aimed at evaluating the prescription patterns of antitubercular
drugs. The study was conducted over a period of one year from March 2025 – February 2026 after
obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULT: The study showed
predominantly pulmonary, drug-sensitive TB among young adults, with high use of generic and NLEM-
listed medicines and a substantial burden of comorbidities and concomitant medications. Adverse drug
reactions occurred in 30.91% of patients, while potential drug–drug interactions were identified in
44.55% of patients. CONCLUSION: The prescribing pattern was largely consistent with NTEP
recommendations, with increasing use of all-oral regimens for drug-resistant TB. Regular monitoring
for adverse drug reactions and drug–drug interactions is essential to ensure safe, rational, and effective
TB therapy.