Awareness of Essential Drug Revolving Fund (EDRF) among Doctors in Jos University Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: There is a need to utilize the available resources in an efficient; cost effective way to meet the needs of patients. The objective of this study was to determine the awareness among doctors in Jos University Teaching Hospital of the Essential Drug Revolving Fund (EDRF). Methods: This is a cross sectional study using a stratified sampling method to enroll doctors from different specialties in the hospital into the study Results: Among the doctors forty-five (46.2) had practiced in Jos University Teaching Hospital for more than twelve months and fifty-five (53.8) for twelve months or less. Only forty-two (41.2) doctors could define Essential Drug Revolving Fund. Eighty-five (83.3) could state correctly the purpose of Essential Drug Revolving Fund. Only two (2.0) knew when Essential Drug Revolving Fund started in Jos University Teaching Hospital; with sixty-one (59.8) correctly defining essential drugs. Sixty-four (62.7) knew the purpose of Essential Drug Revolving Fund and fiftyfive (53.9) knew the existence of an Essential Drug Revolving Fund Committee in Jos University Teaching Hospital. Only forty-three (42.2) knew the criteria for essential drug selection with forty-four (43.1) knowing how they are selected. Though seventy (68.6) knew about rational drug use; only forty-four (43.1) knew how essential drugs are procured. Ninety-three (91.2) knew the definition of polypharmacy; but only twenty-six (25.5) knew how these drugs are stored and stocked. Only thirty-eight (37.3) knew that exempted patients are not part of the scheme in Jos University Teaching Hospital. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for efforts to increase the awareness of doctors on Essential Drug Revolving Fund