# Prescribing trends and rational drug use patterns in cardiovascular patients: A cross-sectional observational study

## TL;DR

This study examines how cardiovascular disease patients are prescribed medications, finding common drug classes and suggesting areas for improvement in drug use.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical insights into prescribing trends and rational drug use in cardiovascular patients.

## Key findings

- Antiplatelets, diuretics, and hypolipidemics are the most frequently prescribed drug classes.
- Only 28.8% of medications were prescribed generically, and 47.3% were on the Essential Drug List.
- Polypharmacy is prevalent, with an average of 13.2 drugs prescribed per patient.

## Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), encompassing conditions like coronary artery disease, hypertension and ischemic heart disease, are
highly prevalent worldwide. This study analyzed prescribing trends and treatment appropriateness in CVD patients, focusing on adherence
to guidelines, essential medicine use and generic drug prescriptions. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on
CVD-diagnosed patients. Data on prescribed medications-including drug classes, generic prescriptions and adherence to the Essential Drug
List (EDL)-were collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26.0. The most frequently prescribed drug classes included antiplatelets,
diuretics and hypolipidemics. Aspirin was the most commonly prescribed medication (58.1%), followed by furosemide (36.5%), amlodipine
(32.4%) and rosuvastatin (24.3%). Statins and calcium channel blockers were prescribed more often than angiotensin II receptor blockers
and beta-blockers. On average, 13.2 drugs were prescribed per patient, with only 28.8% prescribed generically. Furthermore, 47.3% of
medications were on the EDL. This study highlights the high prevalence of CVDs and the common drug classes prescribed to manage them.
These findings provide important insights into current prescribing trends, particularly the frequent use of anti-hypertensive,
antiplatelets, diuretics and hypolipidemics and suggest areas for optimizing medication management in this population. Additionally,
there is a need to better manage polypharmacy in CVD patients.