Utilization Pattern of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs at a Primary Health Care in Malaysia

Introduction: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among medications most commonly prescribed and used world wide mainly in the developed countries. Variation in terms of drug utilization pattern and adverse events may exist in different population and healthcare centres. The objective of the study was to determine consumption pattern of NSAIDs at the Klang health district primary healthcare clinics in Malaysia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of medical records of patients prescribed with NSAIDs over a period of 12 months (January to December, 2013) was conducted at Klinik Kesihatan Anika, Bukit Kuda and Pandamaran, Klang Health distrct primary healthcare clinics, Malaysia. Results: Records of 852 eligible patients were included for the study. Based on the WHO Defined Daily Dose (DDD), the most commonly used NSAIDs were Diclofenac (1.5725), Mefenamic Acid (1.4108), Ibuprofen (0.0166) and Meloxicam (0.0016). Up to 17.6% of the NSAIDs users, had chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. 1.8% to 22.9% of NSAIDs users were concurrently taking antihypertensive, whereas, 8.6% experienced potential drug-drug interaction with NSAIDs. Conclusion: The NSAIDs utilization pattern among the patients at the primary healthcare clinics is appropriate based on the symptoms presented. However, concomitant administration with other drugs and use in patient with chronic disease poses risks of adverse drug reactios and drug-drug interaction.