Prescription Pattern at a Secondary Health Care Facility in Ilorin, Nigeria
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Date
2007
Authors
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Publisher
African Medical Sciences Research Society, Sokoto
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Expenditures due to irrational use of drugs have been a strain on the meagre
health budgets of several developing countries and inappropriate prescribing has been identified in many
health facilities in developing countries. This study examines the prescription pattern in a secondary
health facility.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used in this study. Three hundred and three randomly
selected prescriptions issued to patients attending out-patients' clinics in the facility over a period of three
months were examined. Data obtained was analyzed using EPI-INFO 2000 computer software.
Results: Mean number of drugs per prescription in the health facility is 3.99 ± 1.55. At least 4 drugs were
prescribed in 61.6% of the prescriptions. Generic prescribing was generally low. Out of a total of 1219
drugs prescribed 511 (41.9%) were prescribed in generic names. Analgesics, antimalarials, antibiotics
and antihypertensives accounted for 19.7%, 10.2%, 13.0% and 4.9% of the drugs prescribed respectively.
Only 124 (40.9%) of the prescriptions had all drugs prescribed available in the health facility.
Conclusion: This study found practice of polypharmacy prevalent as found in other studies in
developing countries among prescribers and prescription in generic names is low. Regular orientation
and re-orientation of prescribers on rational drug prescription and prescription in generic names in
conformity with national drug policies is necessary.
Description
Keywords
Drug prescription, pattern, health facility
Citation
Akande TM and Ologe MO (2007) Prescription Pattern at a Secondary Health care Facility in Ilorin, Nigeria. Annals of African Medicine 6(4):186-189.