Abstract
This audit of prescribing practices explores recent trends at Kitovu Hospital, Uganda.
The average number of drugs prescribed per patient was 2.89 ± 0.11, of which 1.79±0.09
were generics and 0.69±0.06 antibiotics. No injections were prescribed. Patient essential
drug knowledge was 100% while the adequacy of labelling was 0%. The number of
drugs prescribed correlated positively with patient age, was greater for female patients,
similar for doctors and clinical officers but greater in medical (3.30±0.15, n=50) than
surgical (2.48±0.13, n=50) outpatient clinics. The mean consultation time was 6.56 min
and 10.25 min per patient in medical and surgical outpatient clinics respectively. The
patient essential knowledge indicators were greatly improved but only modest reduction
in polypharmacy was evident compared to the Ugandan Pharmaceutical Sector national
survey of 2002. Antibiotic prescription was high and generic prescribing was found to be
low. Policy changes are required to enhance rational drug use in the health sector in
Uganda.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 66-71 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Volume | 13 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2010 |