Abstract

Poly-pharmacy significantly increases the likelihood of adverse reactions to drugs, risk of hospitalization and medication errors related to drugs. It depends on the number of drugs, the disease and patient related factors. Poly-pharmacy is a major risk factor for severe adverse drug reactions (ADR’S) and is associated with increased risk of mortality. The main aim of this study was to assessment and monitoring of polypharmacy leading to adverse drug reaction. A Prospective observational study was carried out in Rajiv Gandhi institute of medical sciences (RIMS), a 750 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital, Kadapa, for the period of 7 months in the all deportments of hospital. A total of 448 cases of polypharmacy were identified, among that males were 246 and females were 202. Out of 448 cases, 252 patients were major polypharmacy and 196 were minor polypharmacy. Among 114 ADRs, 22.80% from MICU, 31.57% from MMW, 27.19% from FMW, 10.52% from PSY and 7.89 from DVL, The identified ADRs were reported to physician and the causality assessment was done for 114 ADRs by using Naranjo’s scale. According to Naranjo’s scale 24 (60.28%) ADRs were definitely, 52 (57.42%) were probable, 38 (81.37%) were possible. The role of pharmacists is important to continually educate but also to have access to complete patient records. So they could look at all of the medications that may be given to the patient for better patient care.

Keywords: ADR’s, Poly pharmacy, Assessment, Monitoring and Outcomes.