ROLE OF NON SPECIFIC LIVER DRUGS IN LIVER DISEASES

PRESCRIPTION HABITS OF THESE DRUGS AMONGST DOCTORS OF MULTAN CITY

Abstract

I NTRODUCTION: In majority cases of liver disease, treatment is only symptomatic. Specific treatment is either not required (acute hepatitis) or not available (end stage liver disease). Taking advantage of the situations, a number of products are marketed in Pakistan claiming benefits in these situations (e.g., Hepalex, HepaMerz, Litrison). We will use the term “Liver drugs” for these products in this paper. OBJECTIVES: To find out facts about contents of these liver drugs in the literature and assess the validity of manufacturer’s claims or to know that what percentage of doctors of Multan City prescribe these drugs, reasons for their prescription and source of knowledge influencing their decisions. MATERIAL & METHODS: A literature search was conducted to find out role of contents of these liver drugs, a survey was carried out among doctors of Multan city using a questionnaire, which was delivered and then collected at a later date. Questions were about prescription habits, reasons in support of prescription and sources of knowledge. RESULTS: There was no evidence in the literature suggesting any established beneficial role of any
of the contents of these liver drugs in liver disorders. More than 80% doctors surveyed including GPs and Specialists were prescribing these drugs. Two common reasons given by these doctors in support of prescription were; that these products have favorable effect on the disease process and something had to be prescribed for the satisfaction of the patients and relatives. Main source of information about these drugs was pharmaceutical visits and literature provided by them. CONCLUSION: These non specific liver drugs have no established role in liver disorders but more than 80% doctors of Multan city are prescribing due to misconception created by the manufacturers that these drugs are beneficial.