Bangladesh lu[edical Journal 20]l Vol 40 No 2 Mav 20ll Issue

7.09ok prescriplions were contained injections. Aboul 48.35 drugs were prescribed from essential list of drugs and vitamins v)ere prescribed in 33 3io % prescriplions. The resuh revealed that tltere are apparent lacks oJ prescribing habit among the prescribers even in a teaching hospilal. It is suggested lhal the periodic evalualion ofprescribing practices at a heallh facility y.'ould eventually help to promote rational prescribing. Fttrlhermore, participation of 4th year MBBS students in such exercise may enhance the understanding and sensitize them about rational use of medicines inlulure. information on the use of drug and inadequate drug supply have been suggested to be the main causes behind the irrational prescribing.l Promoting rational use of drugs (RUD) is becoming a priority issue for governments and other organizations all over the world. RUD increased obviously since WHO broadened the concept of essential drug policy to include a strong emphasis on RUD and many countries paid more attention to establish essential drug lists (EDL) approved by WHO. By the end of 1999,156 WHO member states including Bangladesh had a national EDL.2 WHO model list of Essential Medicines was prepared first time in 1977 and updated every two years since then. In Alma Ata in 1978, the WHO/ UNICEF conference on primary health care adopted the essential drug concept as one of the basic tools to improve health care. Rational prescription of medicines requires judicious utilization of drugs. It has been suggested that there is a need to prescribe medicines rationally to improve quality of health and medical care.3'4 Theoretical courses for undergraduate students in medical colleges do not prepare them adequately for rational therapeutics. Medical students need realization and understanding about rational prescribing. This is not achieved properly due to their pharmacology training has been focused more on theory than that of practical aspect.s Appropriate use of medicines and related information to the patient should be regarded as key 'transferable skills ' to be achieved i