Antimalarials prescribing patterns in Gezira State: precepts and practices.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacoepidemiology
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• Antimalarial drug resistance is a growing global health concern.
• Suboptimal prescribing practices can exacerbate drug resistance.
• Sudan faces significant challenges in malaria treatment and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prescribing patterns of antimalarial drugs in Gezira State, Sudan.
• To assess adherence to standard treatment regimens and identify core drug prescribing indicators.
• To correlate prescribing practices with the emergence of antimalarial drug resistance.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal pharmacoepidemiological study design was employed.
• Prescribing data for antimalarial drugs were collected and analyzed.
• Core drug prescribing indicators were measured and correlated with clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• Chloroquine and quinine were the most commonly prescribed antimalarials.
• Inappropriate dosages were administered in 44.7% of cases, deviating from standard regimens.
• Variable and unmonitored drug resistance patterns were observed, linked to non-standard treatment protocols.

Conclusions:

• Current antimalarial prescribing practices in Sudan, particularly concerning dosage, are suboptimal.
• Non-adherence to standard regimens contributes significantly to the development of antimalarial drug resistance.
• Interventions promoting rational prescribing and a national antimalarial drug policy are urgently needed.