Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate prescribing practices in public health facilities of district Mirpur, Kashmir where no previous evidence regarding drug-prescribing behaviours was available. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and outpatient departments of public health facilities in district Mirpur, Kashmir, from Aug to Oct 2020. Methodology: The prescribing pattern analysis was done by objective observations of prescriptions after patient-physician encounter. World health organization defined core and complementary prescribing indicators were evaluated for all the prescriptions. Results: Among the core prescribing indicator, average number of medicines per prescription were 3.11 (World Health Organization’s standard, 1.6-1.8). Only 2% and 67% of medicines were generic and essential medicines respectively (standard, 100%). Almost half the prescriptions contained antibiotics (standard, 20-26.8%) whereas 8% had injections (standard, 13.4- 24.1%). Among the complementary indicators there was no prescription without medicines and average prescription cost was 479 Pakistani Rupees. Conclusion: This is the first study to give a snapshot of prescribing behaviours in public health facilities in Kashmir. All the prescribing indicators except injectables were below the standards. A multi-disciplinary approach involving authorities, industry and professionals is required to promote rational prescribing.

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