Abstract
Introduction Irrational medicine use is a global problem, and one of its manifestation is inappropriate prescribing that occurs when medicines are not prescribed in accordance with the guideline. Objective The aim of the study was to assess prescription completeness and drug use pattern of the hospital using the WHO core drug use indicators. Methods 1000 prescriptions were collected retrospectively from prescriptions written for 1 year from outpatient pharmacies of the hospital. Exit interview was employed to assess patient care indicators. The health facility indicators were checked by assessing the presence of drug formulary and availability of key medicines at the facility. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results It was found that only name of the patients was filled in all the prescriptions. Other informations were below the standard. The average number of drugs per prescription was 1.65. Percentages of encounter by generic name, with antibiotic and injections, were 85.78%, 41%, and 25%, respectively. The percentage of drugs prescribed from an essential drug list was 98.48%. The mean consultation time and dispensing time were 14.49 and 2.16 minutes, respectively. More than half patients had knowledge on drug dispensed to them (68%). The percentage of drugs actually dispensed was 65%, but none of the drugs dispensed were adequately labelled. A copy of EDL and 84% of the key drugs were available in the hospital. Conclusion From the results of our study, it can be concluded that all prescriptions were not complete, and except the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter, the other drug use pattern indicators were out of the WHO recommendation. Therefore, effective intervention program, like training, for promotion of rational drug use practice was recommended.
Highlights
Irrational medicine use is a global problem, and one of its manifestation is inappropriate prescribing that occurs when medicines are not prescribed in accordance with the guideline
The study was conducted in Tibebe-Ghion comprehensive specialized hospital, a teaching hospital under college of medicine and health sciences of Bahir Dar University located in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
From the results of our study, it can be concluded that all prescriptions were not complete
Summary
Irrational medicine use is a global problem, and one of its manifestation is inappropriate prescribing that occurs when medicines are not prescribed in accordance with the guideline. From the results of our study, it can be concluded that all prescriptions were not complete, and except the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter, the other drug use pattern indicators were out of the WHO recommendation. Most leading cause of death and disability in developing countries can be prevented, treated, or at least alleviated with cost effective essential medicines. Irrational medicine use occurs with polypharmacy, with the use of wrong or ineffective medicine, or with under use or incorrect use of effective medicine These actions negatively affect the quality of drug therapy and medical care, raise health care costs, and may cause adverse reaction, as well as being a primary contributor to the spread of antimicrobial resistance [2]. In order to BioMed Research International say a given prescription paper is complete, all parameters that are indicated in the prescription paper have to be completed by the prescribers [2, 4]
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