Drug utilization at primary health care level in southern India

Primary health centres provide health care to the majority of the population in developing countries. A drug utilization study was conducted for 1 y at two primary health centres in Pondicherry, India. Information on complaints, diagnosis and drugs prescribed was collected. From the 2953 prescriptions studied, it was found that on an average each patient received 2.71 drugs. Vitamins, antibiotics, analgesics and antihistamines were the most commonly used, accounting for more than 80% of the drugs prescribed. The antimicrobials which constituted one fourth of the drug consumption, comprised sulphonamides, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole. About half of the patients received injections, particularly of the vitamin B Complex and antibiotics. The results will be used to plan intervention strategies for the promotion of rational drug use.