A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON PRESCRIPTION AUDIT IN INDIA-A REVIEW

Object: The main objective of the study is to verify whether the community based prescriptions were in accordance with the prescription guideline, and to see drug utilization pattern in INDIA. Method: This study involved the collection of data's related to prescription guidelines and utilization of drugs in different areas of India which is reviewed and audited for drug utilization, poly-pharmacy and types of errors, physicianinformation, patient information, drug information and for the general content of the prescription. Result: A total of 11,555 prescriptions analyzed during the study period. Out of those prescriptions, 6,892 (23.01%) prescriptions analyzed for generic name, more than78 % prescriptions containing the brand names. 5659 prescriptions analyzed for polypharmacy; most of the studies have shown that poly pharmacy is common. The patient details were missing in 22% of prescriptions. Prescriber's information's are missed in more than 51%. In some prescription, drug details like dose, frequency are missing in more than 32% of prescriptions. Other details such as prescription date, diagnosis, special advice, legibility and abbreviations are around 30%. 1593 prescriptions analyzed to see frequency of prescribing anti-microbials, in that 917 anti-microbials are prescribed. Rationality of prescribing drugs observed in the study of 19 prescriptions, 63.33% are found to be irrational. 33.06% prescribing pattern of fixed dose combinations are not rational. 21.90 % of antibiotics in many prescriptions are irrational.