Downloads: 1
Original Research | Pharmacology and Toxicology | Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026 | Pages: 632 - 636 | India
Drug-Utilization Pattern and Rational Prescribing Assessed by WHO / INRUD Core Prescribing Indicators in the Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Two-Cycle Cross-Sectional Audit
Abstract: Background and objectives: Rational use of medicines is important for safe, cost-effective care, yet inappropriate prescribing remains common in outpatient practice. This study assessed drug-utilization patterns using the WHO/INRUD core prescribing indicators in the outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care teaching hospital over two audit cycles. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional prescription audit was carried out in two consecutive academic years, with 600 prescriptions in Cycle 1 and 354 in Cycle 2, collected from different departments during working hours. A structured checklist recorded the five WHO/INRUD core prescribing indicators, selected complementary indicators and documentation parameters. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean number of drugs per encounter was 3.69 in Cycle 1 and 3.40 in Cycle 2, against the WHO reference of 1.6-1.8. Generic prescribing was high (97.2% and 96.6%). Antibiotics were prescribed in 24.2% and 39.8% of encounters and injections in 1.0% and 0%. Prescribing from the essential-medicines list/formulary was 66.7% and 100%. Vitamins, tonics or enzymes featured in 50.8% and 54.3% of encounters. Dose, duration and signature were documented in over 98% of prescriptions, but allergy status was never recorded, and diagnosis (26.7%) and follow-up advice (9.0%) were poorly documented. Conclusion: Strengths included high generic prescribing and low injection use, while polypharmacy and frequent vitamin, tonic and enzyme use remained common. Antibiotic and essential-medicine prescribing varied between cycles, and documentation of diagnosis, allergy status and follow-up advice needs improvement.
Keywords: prescription audit; WHO core prescribing indicators; rational use of medicines; generic prescribing; polypharmacy
How to Cite?: Dr. S. Shankareswari, Dr. M. Rajeswaree, Dr. V. Vinothini, Dr. M. Anbarasan, "Drug-Utilization Pattern and Rational Prescribing Assessed by WHO / INRUD Core Prescribing Indicators in the Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Two-Cycle Cross-Sectional Audit", Volume 15 Issue 9, September 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 632-636, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26909124113, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26909124113