Abstract

Rational drug use requires that patients receive medication appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their individual requirements, for adequate period of time and at lowest cost to them and their community. The study was designed to assess rational drug use using World Health Organization (WHO) core drug use indicators in Dessie Referral Hospital, North East Ethiopia. Cross sectional study design was employed to conduct the study from May 15 to 30, 2012. Data was collected retrospectively by using structured observational check list for prescribing and patient care indicators, respectively. The result showed that the average number of drugs per encounter, percentage of encounters with antibiotics, percentage of encounters with injections and percentage of drugs with generic name were 1.79, 48.2, 42 and 89.2%. Results of patient care indicator studies indicated average consultation time of 4.04 min, average dispensing time of 51.6 s, 92.6% of drugs were actually dispensed, 13.65% adequately labeled and 65% of patients retrieved the dose and frequency of administration of the dispensed drugs. Except average number of drugs per encounter, other indicators showed more or less potential drug use problems as compared to WHO criteria.

Key words: Rational drug use, prescribing indicators, patient care indicators, Dessie Referral Hospital, outpatient pharmacy.