Mechanisms For Rationalize Drugs in Hospitals

Mechanisms For Rationalize Drugs in Hospitals

It has been estimated that fifty percent of medicines being used in this country, either on prescription or in over-the-counter sales, are inappropriately or irrationally used. This can result in three undesirable effects. The medicines are not being used as they should be and hence it is bad therapeutics. The medicines may not act or may induce resistance in microorganisms as being seen at the moment for the antibiotics. Several studies carried out by our organization have demonstrated a very high resistance of the microorganisms to ampicillin.

A second undesirable effect is that irrational use of medicines lead to side effects. This could be due to incorrect dosage of the medicine or administering the drug for an unnecessary long period. However, the most common reason for side effects is that too many medicines are prescribed and there is interaction between the medicines. The third effect of irrational use of medicines is that it is unethical and inequitable to prescribe more expensive medicine when an equally effective cheaper medicine is available. The patient has no say in the choice of medicines and purchases whatever has been prescribed. This unethical effect of irresponsible prescribing is particularly devastating for the poor who very often have to purchase medicines they do not need or unnecessarily expensive medicines by taking loans, preventing children from going to school or reducing the already meager amount of food taken by them. A major cause of rural indebtedness is caused by purchase of medicines not needed. This is unethical.

Rational use of medicines contains the use of the right medicine, at the right dose, for the correct length of time. A programme of rational use of drugs needs to be based on a list of essential drugs. It is essential to draw up a list of drugs that could take care of 90% of the ailments. There will always be need for additional complementary drugs for special cases. It should be clearly understood that the concept of an essential drug list is as valid for developed countries as it IS for developing countries. It is not a tool only for poor countries. Rational drug use requires that patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest possible cost to them and their community. Rational drug use promotes quality of care and cost-effective therapy. It helps to ensure that drugs are used only when they are needed, and that people understand what the medicines are for and how to use them. Policies to promote rational drug use need to address the prescribers, dispensers and consumers of drugs as well as manufacturers and sellers, and traditional healers. All these actors have an important influence on how drugs are used. A variety of strategies and interventions are needed to influence drug use.

Why is it important to promote rational use?

All drugs, including essential drugs, can ...