DRUG PRESCRIBING PATTERN IN DERMATOLOGY IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN WESTERN NEPAL

Abstract

The aim was to monitor drug prescribing for patients attending the dermatologyservices (OPD) of Manipal Teaching Hospital (MTH). 292 prescriptions of patientsattending the dermatology OPD of MTH attached to MCOMS, Nepal were collectedby a random once weekly survey between July 2000 to June 2001. This informationwas analysed in consultation with clinical collaborators and critically evaluated usingWHO guidelines. The average number of drugs prescribed was 2.42 drugs/prescription.Only 13%(91 out of 708) of the drugs were prescribed in generic names. The mostcommonly prescribed topical drugs were topical steroids and their combinations (28%)followed by topical antifungal agents (12.5%). The most commonly prescribed systemicagents were antihistamines (47.6%) followed by antimicrobials (20%) and antifungalagents (12%). Frequency of administration and site of application were specified inthe majority of the prescriptions (82%) of topically administered drugs but dose/strength of topical preparations were specified in only 11 prescriptions. The durationwas not specified for 9 of the systemically prescribed drugs and 341 of all the topicaldrugs prescribed. In two patients, 2 medium or 2 high potency topical steroids wereprescribed together with systemic steroid administration. Patients who receivedsystemic antiiungal agents (34) also got a topical one simultaneously. In this study, agreat majority of the drugs were prescribed in brand names (87 %). Drugs should beprescribed in their generic names to * avoid confusion and to minimize the costs. Inthis study, on some occasions, prescriptions may have been written imprecisely/inappropriately.Key Words: Prescribing pattern, Dermatology, Nepal.