ABSTRACT
Rational drug use study is important for the patient care, and also act as a measure of the quality of care which is provided to patients, this study was conductedin the outdoor departments of 20 selected health facilities out of total 36 facilities of province Punjab, Pakistan by applying the core indicators of WHO.Average number of drug prescribed was 3.2 per prescription, percentage of generic drugs was 29.7%, percentage of antibiotic prescribed, injection prescribed, and percentage of drugs from NEDL were 64%, 0%, 96.5% respectively while ciprofloxacin was the most commonly used antibiotic. Average consultation time was 2.58 minutes; average dispensing time 88.5 seconds, percentage of drug actually dispensed was 82.9%, percentage of drug adequately labeled 96.9%, percentage knowledge of correct dosage 24%. Availability of NEDL or formulary was 90%,percentage of availability of key drugs in stock was 64.3%.Overall condition of rational use of medicines was not satisfactory in hospitals; this study will promote the rational use of medicines and good clinical pharmacy practice in hospitals of province Punjab, Pakistan by identifying the problems in rational use of drugs.