To compare the level of inappropriate prescribing (IP) using the different IP screening tools in a given sample and to match the findings with real time findings of local practice 

METHODS:

RESULTS:

The level of IP observed according to different tools were 29% (Beers’ 2003)> 23.6% (STOPP criteria)>11.8% (HEDIS)> 8% (Zhan criteria)> 4.2% (IPET). The IP identified according to real time practice was 14.4% which closely matched with IP identified by HEDIS criteria. The most common inappropriate drugs accepted by physicians were administration of anticoagulant therapy with aspirin, Diazepam, Digoxin, Diltiazem, Codein and Ferrous Sulfate. The Beers’ criteria 2003 identified significantly higher level of IP than other criteria. The higher dose of ferrous sulfate (n=38) was most common drug contributed to higher level of IP. Only 11 prescriptions out of 38 considered Inappropriate Drug (ID) in real time practice. Like wise, other most contributing drugs were Nitrofurantoin (2 out of 17 accepted ID in real practice) and chlorphenarmine (none out of 12 accepted ID in real practice).

CONCLUSIONS:

The authors suggest merging the two criteria (Beers’ criteria and STOPP criteria) with list of drug identified inappropriate from real patient care setting for assessment of level of IP in Indian setting