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Prescribing patterns among medical practitioners in Pune, India
M J Kshirsagar1, D Langade, S Patil
1Department of Pharmacology, B.J. Medical College, Pune, India.
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|September 23, 1998
Summary
A study in Pune, India, found that many doctors exhibit irrational prescribing practices, with a high use of fixed-dose combinations and few generic prescriptions. This highlights a need for interventions to improve rational drug therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- The World Health Assembly has emphasized the importance of selecting and procuring essential drugs aligned with national health needs.
- Rational drug utilization is a cornerstone of effective healthcare delivery and patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate prescribing patterns and assess the rationality of drug utilization among medical practitioners in Pune, India.
- To identify specific areas of irrational prescribing and inform potential interventions.
Main Methods:
- Prescription analysis of medical practitioners in Pune, an industrial city in western India.
- Evaluation of drug formulation types, including fixed-dose combinations and generic versus branded drugs.
- Assessment of the percentage of essential drugs prescribed and the rationality of prescription practices.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of medical practitioners demonstrated irrational prescribing practices.
- Fixed-dose formulations were prevalent, while generic prescriptions were minimal.
- Prescriptions for essential drugs constituted less than 60% of all prescribed drugs.
- Over 30% of prescriptions were deemed irrational, with increased irrationality linked to polypharmacy.
- A high number of irrational fixed-dose combinations were available for prescription.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals suboptimal rational drug therapy practices in Pune, India.
- Intervention strategies are urgently needed to promote rational drug prescribing and utilization.
- Addressing the prevalence of irrational fixed-dose combinations is crucial for improving healthcare outcomes.