Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the drug utilization pattern in pregnancy in Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in private and government sector hospitals in Lahore and included randomly selected 350 pregnant females. The data were collected by an interview questionnaire and was analyzed using SPSS Statistics 25.
Results: A total of 62 drugs were being prescribed including folic acid, CaC-1000 and paracetamol. Over the counter drugs were used by 54.857% patients, 58.3% were using dietary supplements and herbal drugs were used by 21.42% patients. 38.6% drugs that were used belonged to category A (US FDA), 21.88% belonged to category B and 39.52% to category C. No drugs from category D and X were found to be used in this study.
Conclusion: Many patients were using herbal drugs without the consultation of their practitioner, which affects their treatment as well as puts the mother and the child at potential risk. Most of the patients were also consuming dietary supplements and over the counter drugs. The use of drugs from US FDA pregnancy category D and X was not found, indicating good practices.

Key words: Pregnancy, drug utilization pattern, pregnancy drug categories, Lahore.