Good prescribing practice

Abstract

Drug prescription is the very first step initiating a cascade of events in the medication process. It is, hence, decisive for success or failure of any pharmacologic treatment. A good prescription must therefore consider (1) relevant patient factors and co-morbidities, (2) evidence-based knowledge on medically sound prescribing practices, and (3) the setting in which a prescription is issued. The setting will determine which partners will participate, contribute, and safeguard the ongoing medication process and how much responsibility can be shared. Partners in the medication process refer to other healthcare professionals dispensing the drug, teaching the patient, or administering the medicines. It also involves the patients or their relatives with their information needs and often variable motivation and conviction to use a drug. By issuing a prescription, the physician must provide the partners with sufficient and appropriate information, must ensure that they understand the meaning of the prescription and are able to perform their assigned tasks during the medication process. Lastly, medication prescription is also subject to formal constraints and must meet legal criteria that are relevant for reimbursement by health insurance companies.