Impact of Drug Information Services on Promotion of Rational Use of Antimicrobial Agents: A Descriptive Retrospective Study

Introduction: Drug Information Services (DIS) is dedicated to provide information about drugs and pharmacotherapy, on request from health care professionals, organisations or patients. World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends DIS to promote rational use of medicines. Aim: The study was done to understand the impact of DIS on promotion of rational use of antimicrobial agents, at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, 126 cases with infection related medication issues requiring opinion related to appropriate antimicrobial therapy from January 2014-June 2018 were included and studied in September 2018. Data related to culture/susceptibility results, treatment offered, reason for referral and suggestions given by the DIS captured in the case details form were analysed. The number of antimicrobials prescribed per case before and after DIS opinion was compared using paired t-test. Results: Of the 126 cases (mean age: 35±18.2 years), 82 were culture positive, of which 43 samples reported MultiDrug Resistant (MDR) organisms. Of 126 case referrals, 53 (42.1%) were regarding opinion on appropriate antimicrobial therapy, 18 (14.3%) for suspected ADRs and rechallenge opinion, 27 (21.5%) for dosage adjustment of antimicrobials and 12 (9.5%) for suspected drug-drug interactions. Based on DIS recommendations, mean number of antimicrobials prescribed per patient reduced from 3.4±1.85 to 1.62±1.38 (p<0.0001) when tested by paired t-test. Sixteen culturenegative cases were referred for opinion on appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Conclusion: DIS is a very useful resource, which provides unbiased, factual drug information to clinicians and patients and must be established in all healthcare facilities. DIS strengthen rational use of antimicrobials.