DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2014/2945 ORIGINAL ARTICLE J of Evolution of Med and Dent Sci/ eISSN- 2278-4802, pISSN- 2278-4748/ Vol. 3/ Issue 27/July 07, 2014 Page 7614 DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY OF ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENTS IN MAHAGAON PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE IN RURAL GULBARGA, KARNATAKA Mohammed Waseem Ahmed 1 , Prashant Dass 2 , Rameez Ahmed 3 , Michell Gulabani 4 HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mohammed Waseem Ahmed, Prashant Dass, Rameez Ahmed, Michell Gulabani. “Drug Utilization Study of Anti- Microbial Agents in Mahagaon Primary Health Centre in Rural Gulbarga, Karnataka ”. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences 2014; Vol. 3, Issue 27, July 07; Page: 7614-7624, DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2014/2945 ABSTRACT: The WHO in 1977 provided the proper definition of drug utilization. It has been defined as the marketing, distribution, prescription and use of drugs in society with special emphasis on the resulting medical and social consequences. Antibiotics are a commonly prescribed group of drugs and the problem of their overuse is a global phenomenon. Studies from India have shown that the use of antimicrobial agents varies from 24 to 67 percent. Primary Health care is integral part of any country’s health care delivery system, its importance is vital when considered for the developing countries. AIMS: To evaluate prescription pattern and criteria for selection of antimicrobial agents (AMAs) in Primary Health Centre and to analyze rationality among the prescriptions. To monitor Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) encountered during the course of the study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This prospective, observational and analytical study was done to assess the pattern of antimicrobial agent (AMA) use in patients attending Mahagaon Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Gulbarga district, Karnataka. The reason for AMA use, criteria for selection, AMA susceptibility, efficacy and tolerability of AMAs and treatment outcome of AMAs were evaluated. Patients receiving AMA therapy of either gender, of any age, seeking out-patient treatment from Mahagaon PHC, were included in this study. The study was carried out between March, 2014 and May, 2014 (3 months). Three hundred (300) consecutive patients receiving AMAs, were included in the study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results indicate that a satisfactory standard has been maintained in several areas in the studied PHC. Even more judicious use of antibiotics is recommended and specific therapy should be promoted over empirical therapy. KEYWORDS: Drug utilization study, pharmacoepidemiology, anti-microbial agents, primary health centre. INTRODUCTION: The WHO in 1977 provided the proper definition of drug utilization. It has been defined as the marketing, distribution, prescription and use of drugs in society with special emphasis on the resulting medical and social consequences. 1 Drug utilization research is an essential part of pharmacoepidemiology as it describes the extent, nature of drug exposure. 2 Pharmacoepidemiology is defined as the study of uses and effects of drugs in large number of people. Pharmacoepidemiology is a discipline that provides us with valuable information regarding clinical and economic outcomes of drugs, devices and biologics, particularly after their approval for clinical use. Antibiotics have the most potential impact on preventable mortality in the developing world. 3 Antibiotics are a commonly prescribed group of drugs and the problem of their overuse is a global phenomenon. Studies from India have shown that the use of antimicrobial agents varies from 24 to 67percent. 4,5 Primary Health care is integral part of any country’s health care delivery system, its importance is vital when considered for the developing countries. India adopted primary health care