Prescriber performance in a paediatric general practice clinic of a university teaching hospital

Abstract

In order to assess prescriber performance at a general practice clinic of a University Teaching Hospital, the medical records on and the prescription given to patients less than 16 years of age were studied. Performance was assessed on the basis of the diagnosis, suitability of the drugs prescribed, their dosage, duration, combination and cost. Prescription was inappropriate in 74.3% of cases and the prescribers indulged in polypharmacy, unnecessary and extravagant prescribing of drugs in suboptimal dosage. Establishment of drug prescription/utilization committee, and hospital drug formulary, coupled with frequent evaluation of the prescribers are suggested means of enhancing prescriber performance.