Prescribing patterns of antimicrobial agents in private practice in Umtata, Eastern Cape, South Africa

To describe the prescription patterns of antimicrobial drugs in the private sector in Umtata.

Descriptive, retrospective study.

Umtata Pharmacy, Umtata (a town in the Eastern Cape).

Prescription patterns and quality of prescription indicators.

Retrospective analysis of all prescriptions for antimicrobial drugs between 1 January and 31 December 2000, noting the method of payment, number of drugs, use of generic or brand name, and also whether or not the following were stated: diagnosis, dose, dosage form, dosing interval and duration of treatment.

There were 2352 prescriptions, of which 57.7% were paid through medical aid; 41.7% by cash, while 0.6% of the prescriptions had no form of payment stated. Only 10.4% of prescriptions used generic names exclusively; 83.2% used brand names alone and 6.4% had both generic and brand names. The form of payment apparently influenced the number of items per prescription, with the average number for medical aid prescriptions higher than for those paid for in cash (2.71 vs. 2.11; p < 0.001). Of the prescriptions 12.5% had five or more drugs. The diagnosis was not stated in 94.3% of prescriptions, the dose and duration of treatment were not properly stated in 53.3% and 59.6% of prescriptions respectively. The dosage forms and dosing intervals were stated in 99% and 85% of prescriptions, respectively. The most commonly prescribed antimicrobials were amoxycillin, metronidazole and ketoconazole.

The low rate of generic prescribing and the incomplete nature of many prescriptions are a cause for concern. Their cost implications and possible effect on the effective use of antimicrobial agents are discussed.