Awareness about rational use of medicines among fresh Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery graduates

CONTEXT: Fresh Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery graduates (FMGs) are responsible for the majority of prescription errors and irrational use of medicines. Little research has explored their knowledge on rational prescribing practices. AIMS: The present study aimed to evaluate the awareness of rational use of medicines (RUMs) among the FMGs. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A multicentric, cross-sectional, and questionnaire-based study was conducted among 308 FMGs during the internship orientation program. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The structured and prevalidated questionnaire consisted of 35 statements on important aspects of RUM. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 at 95% level of significance with Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Nearly 31% of FMGs did not know that the generic drugs are equally efficacious as branded drugs whereas 53% were in support of pregnant female should not consume any drug. Nearly 58% of FMGs were confused about deciding the dose in children and 18% were in favor of using antibiotics in common cold. Almost 55% of FMGs were disagree for adjusting the dose of antidiabetic drugs by patient depending on the meal taken whereas 12% were not aware of the importance of compliance of antihypertensive drugs and 40% were supporting the safety of fruits in chronic renal disease. The FMG from government colleges answered more correctly than that of the private colleges. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness of RUM among FMG is not satisfactory, and also there is a gap in its implementation. Thus, they should be supervised during the initial phase of their medical practice.