ASSESSMENT OF PRESCRIPTION COMPLETENESS AND DRUG USE PATTERN USING WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) PRESCRIBING INDICATORS IN PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL PHARMACIES IN THE TWIN CITIES OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objective. The study uses the WHO core drug use indicator to assess the hospital’s prescription completeness and drug use pattern. Method. From November 2023 to March 2024, 250 prescriptions were randomly selected. For each given day, a minimum of 5 was carefully included in the research sample from a combination of prescription review, observation, and retrospective cross-sectional. Data was analysed by using SPSS version 20 and an Excel spreadsheet. Results. The current study showed that 409 drugs were prescribed in government hospitals out of 125 prescriptions, with an average of 3.3 drugs per prescription, with 49%% generic names, 100% from the essential drug list, and 21.6% and 42.2% containing injections and antibiotics, respectively. In a private hospital, 527 pharmaceuticals were prescribed out of 125 prescriptions. The average number of drugs per prescription was 4.2, with generic names accounting for 37%, the essential drug list accounting for 100%, and injections and antibiotics accounting for 41.2% and 51.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The study's findings showed that the prescribing and prescription completion indicators differed from the WHO guidelines. As a result, an effective intervention program, such as training, was proposed to encourage safe medication practices while improving drug prescribing patterns and prescription quality. Pharmacists might also assist patients in better understanding their prescriptions, which would enhance drug adherence and usage.