Assessment of prescribing trends for rational use of drugs

Background: Nowadays irrational use of drugs is a major problem inspite of extensive programs being carried out on rational use of medicines. Therefore, in present study we evaluated OPD prescriptions for rationality and their adherence to prescription format.Methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out in 511 outdoor patients for a period of three months. Quality of prescription writing was assessed for completeness of information and legibility. Rationality was analyzed using WHO core prescribing indicators.Results: Basic information of patient and name of department were written in all the prescriptions. Diagnosis was mentioned in 76.33% cases. Dosage forms, dose, frequency and duration of treatment were mentioned in 97.26%, 73%, 80.04% and 80.23% of prescriptions respectively. About 73.78% prescriptions were legible. Doctor’s name, signature and registration number were present in 80.82%, 82.97% and 15.66%. Total number of drugs in 511 cases was 1074. Average number of drugs/ prescriptions was 2.1±0.8. Drugs were prescribed by generic name in 25.14% cases; drugs from EDL were 57.36%. Antimicrobial agents, injectable drugs and FDCs were prescribed in 25.83%, 12.13% and 39.14% cases. The most commonly prescribed drugs were analgesics, GIT and cardiovascular drugs.Conclusions:This study shows possible areas of improvement in prescription practice that is generic prescribing, use of essential medicines, restraint in use of irrational fixed dose combinations and better quality of prescribing in terms of inclusiveness of information, legibility and doctor’s details.