Analysis of drug prescriptions in primary health care centres in Bahrain

The aim of this study was to analyse drug prescribing practices in primary health care centres in Bahrain. We retrospectively evaluated 600 prescriptions selected randomly from all primary health care centres in Bahrain [n = 20] in 2004. Analysis followed WHO recommended prescribing core indicators. The mean number of drugs prescribed at each encounter was 3.3 [SD 0.7]. A single drug was prescribed on 6.3% of prescriptions and drugs were prescribed by generic name on 10.2%. The percentage of total prescriptions for antibiotics was 45.8%, for injections was 9.3% and for vitamins was 12.5%. The prescribing pattern in primary health care centres in Bahrain is associated with polypharmacy, over-prescribing of antibiotics and an under-prescribing of drugs by generic names

Evaluation of drug use in Jordan using WHO prescribing indicators

Patterns of prescribing and use of pharmaceuticals by physicians and patients in Jordan have not previously been studied. We retrospectively evaluated pharmaceutical drug prescribing practices in 21 primary health care facilities in Irbid governorate, northern Jordan using World Health Organization-recommended core indicators.The mean number of drugs prescribed was 2.3 overall, ranging from 1.9 to 3.0. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was very low, as was the percentage of prescriptions involving injections. The percentages of prescriptions involving antibiotics and drugs from the essential drugs list averaged 60.9% and 93% respectively. We conclude that the prescribing and use of drugs in Jordan requires rationalization, particularly the over-prescribing of antibiotics and the under-prescribing of generic drugs

Evaluation of drug use in Jordan using WHO patient care and health facility indicators

We prospectively studied current drug use in Jordan in 21 primary health care facilities in northern Jordan over a three-month period, using World Health Organization-recommended indicators. Both the mean time spent on physician-patient consultations [3.9 +/- 3.5 minutes] and mean pharmacy dispensing time [28.8 +/- 23.7 seconds] were short, resulting in a mean patient knowledge of prescribed drug dose of 77.7%. No centre had an essential drugs list and/or formulary available. An average of 80% of key drugs were available at centres. Baseline data gathered by this study can be used by researchers and policymakers to monitor and improve pharmaceutical prescribing and consumption practices in Jordan