Prescription Errors Still a Challenge in Pakistan - A Cross-Sectional Study from Central Punjab, Pakistan

  • Hafiz Obaid
  • Ahmed Umer Sohaib
  • Abu Bakar Munir
  • Jamshaid Akbar
  • Muhammad Qamar-uz Zaman
  • Muhammad Arslan Amjad
  • Sharjeel Ahmad
Keywords: Prescription errors, rational prescribing, poly-pharmacy, Central Punjab.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prescription writing pattern and errors in prescriptions at different health care units of Central Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to conduct the present study. Data collection was done for a period of one month i.e. March 2018 from selected community pharmacies of five different cities of Central Punjab, Pakistan. Patients were approached irrespective of age and gender and data was recorded on a pre-designed Performa. The total sample size was 750 (150 prescriptions from each pharmacy). SPSS (Statistical Program for Social Sciences, version 20.0) was used for statistical analysis of data.

Results: Out of 750 prescriptions, 662 prescriptions were included in final analysis. Patient name was found written in almost all prescriptions 660 (99.7%) while physician name was missing on 519 (78.4%). Healthcare provider registration number and qualification were not on 654 (98.8%) and 527 (79.6%) prescriptions respectively. Poly-pharmacy was observed in 103 (16%) prescriptions and no prescription was found with generic name.

Conclusion: The study results highlighted the imperative need to devise policies that should be regulated and implemented by the healthcare authorities to make our prescriptions in line with the prescribed guidelines.

Author Biographies

Hafiz Obaid

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Superior College, Lahore, Pakistan

Ahmed Umer Sohaib

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Superior College, Lahore, Pakistan

Abu Bakar Munir

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Superior College, Lahore, Pakistan

Jamshaid Akbar

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Superior College, Lahore, Pakistan

Muhammad Qamar-uz Zaman

Department of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Muhammad Arslan Amjad

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Superior College, Lahore, Pakistan

Published
2020-01-30