Authors : M Kumaraswamy; Harshitha V; Anvil Preem Rebello; Rithesh Patel; Sanjay Gowda AV; Chandrakala D

Volume/Issue : Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : http://tinyurl.com/4uz826h7

Scribd : http://tinyurl.com/7esmry56

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10430551

Abstract : Prescription auditing is critical because improper prescribing practices, such as medication abuse, overuse, and underuse, can result in patient financial hardship, dangerous treatment, and resource waste, particularly in community pharmacies. This study was aimed to determine the appropriateness of medical prescriptions dispensed in community pharmacy. 1,010 prescriptions filled in the three community pharmacies during a six-month period were gathered for a prospective observational study. The World Health Organization's basic drug prescribing indicators were used to analyze each prescription, and an additional 16 essentials were evaluated. The findings demonstrated that the proportion of medications prescribed under generic names was significantly lower than the WHO- recommended ideal value. It is recommended that prescribers get ongoing education regarding appropriate prescription practices and incentives for writing prescriptions for generic medications. To meet the WHO core criteria of medication prescribing, we advise prescribers to be aware of the importance of safe and rational prescribing practices, and to receive frequent training, evaluation, and monitoring.

Keywords : Prescription Auditing; World Health Organization; Rational Prescribing; Community Pharmacy; Generic Name.