A systematic review of drug utilisation studies done in Zimbabwe since 1980 to 2018.

Abstract

According to the World Health Organisation the definition of Drug Utilisation Study is a research which looks at the marketing, distribution, prescription, and use of drugs in a society, with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social and economic consequences. Drug utilization research also provides insight into the efficiency of drug use. A systematic review by definition is a review of a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and explicit methods to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant research, and to collect and analyse data from the studies that are included in the review. Systematic reviews are being used widely to come up with protocols and encouraging practicing evidence based practices. Objectives: The main objective of the study was a systematic compilation and analysis of drug utilization studies done in Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2018.Methodology: A thorough literature search of published articles on Drug utilization researches done in Zimbabwe from 1980-2018 was done. A manual search of library resources from the University of Zimbabwe Medical School Library and department of Clinical pharmacology for relevant papers, projects and abstracts of studies conducted by researchers and students was also performed. Results: Out of the 203 articles found, 82 were selected for analysis and review. 92.6% of the researches were done in the urban areas and 53.6 % were in the public sector while 46.4% were in the private sector. 63 % of the studies were obtained from projects and dissertations from the department of clinical pharmacology. 65% of the researches were done in participants across all age groups and none done solely in the adolescents group. Drugs studied most were essential drugs of the Essential Drug List for Zimbabwe (EDLIZ) followed by antibiotics. The cross sectional study design was used mostly for the researches(34%). A higher proportion of the selected articles mentioned limitations (64.6%) and recommendations (87.8%)Conclusion: This study suggests that drug utilization research is minimal in Zimbabwe, with most of the conducted researches being done in urban and public institutions and majority of them are not published in journals and books. Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and use remains a challenge in Zimbabwe as is in other settings internationally. The available drug utilisation studies done in Zimbabwe agree on encouraging rationale drug usage by following local and national guidelines such as EDLIZ.