Background: Cough and common cold are one of the commonest morbidities in the community. Cough and cold medicines are abound in Indian market despite the fact that majority of them lack scientific evidence of their use in this common condition.
Aims & Objective: To analyze the prescribing pattern of cough and cold medicines in Central Gujarat.
Material and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, questionnaire- based study was carried out to assess the prescribing pattern of doctors with regard to cough and cold. A total of 100 prescribers with a graduate degree (n=50) or a post-graduate degree (n=50) from Central Gujarat were selected randomly. After interviewing all doctors, data were analyzed to find the percentage of patients prescribed cough & cold medicines, their types of dosage form, use of FDCs, indications, any adverse events encountered and non-pharmacological measures advocated.
Results: Prescribing FDCs for cough and cold was significantly higher (92% vs 72%, P
Key words: Cough and cold medicines, Prescribing practice, Rational use of cough and cold medicines, Evidence based medicine
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