Drug utilization pattern and rational drug use at orthopedics and traumatology outpatient clinics: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the prescriptions of patients who were admitted to the orthopedics and traumatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital according to the WHO prescribing indicators. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2020 and March 2020, a total of 1,024 patients (273 males, 751 females; mean age: 51.9±13.9 years; range, 19 to 103 years) were included in the study. Only patients who were prescribed drugs and 18 years of age or older were included in the study. The WHO core prescribing indicators were utilized for the assessment of rational drug use. The WHO prescribing indicators percentages between the age categories were analyzed. The average number of drugs between the age categories was also examined. RESULTS: The average number of drugs per encounter was 2.9. The percentage of encounters with an antibiotic prescribed was 2.6% and with an injection prescribed was 10.7%. The percentage of drugs prescribed from essential drugs list was 33.8%. There were no prescriptions consisting generic name of drugs (0%). Polypharmacy was significantly higher in the ≥65 age group compared to the 18-44 age group (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The percentage of encounters with an antibiotic and injection prescribed were optimal according to WHO standards, while the average number of drugs per encounter was higher than the WHO ideal ranges. Unfortunately, the parameters such as the percentage of prescribing with generic name and from essential drug list was far more behind the optimal range.