Assessment of Drug Use Pattern Using WHO Prescribing Indicators at Outpatient Settings in Yemen

Abstract

Background: Rational prescribing is anessential step to ensure rational drug use. To promote rational drug use, especially in developing countries, assessment of drug use patterns according to WHO prescribing indicators is becoming increasingly necessary. The present study aimed to evaluate the prescribing patterns based on WHO indicators at the outpatient settings. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2018 and February 2019. A 386outpatient medication prescriptionsof patients from different diseases and ages were analyzed according to WHO guidelines and the standard prescription format. Also, prescriptions were analyzed to determine the most frequently prescribed antibiotics. Result: Out of total drugs prescribed (1552), only 4.4% (62) drugs were prescribed by generic name. Mean number of drugs per prescriptions was 4 with a range between 1 and 13 drugs. Use of antibiotics was 96.1% (367), percentage of prescriptions with an injection was 65.8% (254), and the percentage of drugs prescribed from essential drug list was 4.8% (74). Adherence of prescribers to the standard prescription format is quite poor. Conclusion: Brand name prescribing is dominant habit in Yemen. Adherence of the prescribers to the standard prescription format as well as their compliance with the WHO prescribing indicators is quite poor. Poly-pharmacy is quite common. Excessive use of antibiotics and injectable drugs prescription is quite common. There is a poor trend of prescribing drugs from essential drug list. This irrational prescribing indicates a clear need to implement a guideline by the regulatory authorities directing the prescription habits of physicians.