Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Drug Utilization Study

Objective: Chief aim of the current study was to draw attention in the prescribing pattern and utilization of PPIs in one year at a single private hospital of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective drug utilization research on Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The PPI usage pattern of in- and out- patients of Al-Mana Group of Hospital (AGH) Al-Khobar between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 were investigated, including incidence, prevalence, and duration.

Results: We observed 27229 items of PPI were dispensed in the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy department of AGH-Al-khobar. Among all the PPI user more than the half {(52.98%, n = 14426), 95%CI (52.0-53.5)} were male. Nearly equal number of PPI users belongs between 18-40 years {(39.22%, n =10680), 95%CI (38.64-39.80)} and 41-60 years {(39.15%, n =10662), 95%CI (38.6-39.75)}. Among all the PPI users 61.46% (n=16736) were from community of Saudi Arabia while 38.53% (n=10493) from Non-Saudi. Among all the dispensed PPIs drugs Pantoprazole is dispensed to the highest number of patients {79% (95%CI, 78.53-79.50) (n=21515), p<0.05} while their average duration of therapy was 18.78 days. All the PPI prescribed to the AGH-Al-khobar patients adhere to the NICE guideline (p-value <0.05).

Conclusions: We also observed that PPIs was prescribed in AGH Al-khobar adhere to clinical guidelines. In our study among all the PPI Pantoprazole was prescribed to the highest number of patients, hence their safe and effective use must be warranted.