Impact of Clinical Pharmacy Interventions on Prescribing Trends of Oral Antidiabetic Agents and Associated Complications in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of clinical pharmacy interventions on current prescribing patterns of oral antidiabetic medications and the occurrence of diabetes-related complications in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The study population comprised hospitalized patients diagnosed exclusively with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Comprehensive medication data for all enrolled patients were systematically collected using a structured and validated data collection form. Sociodemographic details, including age, sex, weight, and height, were recorded alongside clinical information such as past medical history, reason for hospital admission, and documented drug or food allergies. Detailed medication histories were obtained, encompassing drug name, dosage, route of administration, identified drug-related problems, rationale for pharmacist intervention, and recommendations provided by the clinical pharmacist.

Additionally, patients’ dietary patterns, lifestyle behaviors, and medication adherence were evaluated. The acceptance and clinical relevance of pharmacist-led interventions were also assessed. Analysis of prescribing trends indicated that insulin therapy was favoured over oral hypoglycemic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated complications. In many cases, insulin was prescribed in combination with oral hypoglycemic agents to achieve improved glycaemic control, particularly in patients presenting with significantly elevated blood glucose levels.

Regular insulin was the most commonly prescribed insulin formulation, while metformin emerged as the most frequently utilized oral hypoglycemic agent. The findings further highlighted the pivotal role of patient education on lifestyle modification and diabetes self-management in achieving optimal glycaemic outcomes. Overall, the implementation of clinical pharmacy services proved essential in educating patients, identifying and preventing potential drug interactions, enhancing medication adherence, and improving quality of life. The study concludes that comprehensive diabetes management—incorporating appropriate pharmacotherapy, dietary regulation, lifestyle modification, and sustained adherence can substantially improve glycaemic control and therapeutic outcomes.