Prescription pattern of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in a family practice clinic at Jordan university hospital

To study the pattern of prescribing of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs [NSAIDs] in a family practice clinic at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Review of files for prescribed drugs in the "Family Practice Clinic at Jordan University Hospital" during the period 28/03/2008- 18/07/2008. Files at the end of the clinic session were collected and reviewed for prescriptions. A total of 2027 patient files were reviewed, 343 [16.9%] of which contained NSAIDs. The number of drugs per prescription ranged from 1-12 [mean +/- SD, 3.1 +/- 1.9], with 67% of prescriptions containing 3 or less drugs. Proprietary drug names were used in 89.5% of prescriptions. Diclofenac was the most frequently prescribed NSAID [44.9%], followed by aspirin [30.3%] and proprionic acid derivative [15.2%]. One fourth [90] of the files containing NSAIDs prescriptions belonged to females in chilf-bearing age. In most cases, diclofenac and proprionic acid derivatives were prescribed for musculoskeletal disorders followed by infections, while aspirin was prescribed mostly for cardiovascular disorders. With some exceptions, the pattern of prescriptions of NSAIDs is fairly appropriate. Diclofenac was irrationally and overused as it was prescribed for infections, and inappropriately used in patients with bronchial asthma. These drugs were prescribed for women in child-bearing age. Proprietary drug names were used in the majority of prescriptions. The strength of medications, frequency of administration and duration of therapy were missing in some of the prescriptions. Continued medical education on rational prescribing seems necessary

pharmacoepidemiological study of prescription pattern in outpatient clinics in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

A pharmacoepidemiological study of prescription pattern in outpatient clinics in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. A total of 3796 prescriptions from outpatient clinics of Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were screened randomly and systemically over one-year period [April 2000 to April 2001]. The prescriptions were analyzed for the essential elements of the prescription order, and for the number and classes of drugs prescribed, source of prescription and appropriateness of prescription to the diagnosis. The source of prescriptions was not provided in 61.5% of prescriptions. The diagnosis was missing in 15.1% and not readable in 18.9% of prescriptions. Upper respiratory tract infection [URTI] was the most frequent diagnosis and was included in 21.6% of prescriptions. The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.1 +/- 1.05 [Mean +/- SD], with 90.8% of prescriptions containing 3 or fewer drugs. The most frequently prescribed drugs were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], including paracetamol which were included in 51.2% of prescriptions, followed by antibacterial agents [33.2%]. Only 46.4% of prescriptions were appropriate to the diagnosis, while 11.1% were partially appropriate and 5.3% were inappropriate. For the rest [37.2%], it was difficult to evaluate appropriateness due to deficient information. General practitioners and specialists were more likely to prescribe appropriately than emergency room physicians [64.6% and 60.4% versus 35.7%]. None of the prescriptions for antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs and antihypertensive agents were inappropriate. These results emphasize the need for continuing medical education on rational prescribing, and for periodic monitoring of physicians habits on drug utilization