A description of the pattern of rational drug use in Ghana Police Hospital

Irrational use of drugs is a widespread problem at all levels of care, and results in increased mortality, morbidity, adverse drug reactions, poor patient outcomes and wastage of scarce resources. The main objective of the study was to investigate the pattern of rational drug use in the Ghana Police Hospital. Based on World Health Organization (WHO) core indicators of rationale drug use, prescribing data were obtained from 120 outpatients’ records from January-July in 2009. Patient and health facility indicators were obtained by interviewing 100 outpatients and 9 prescribers. Data was analysed with an excel software program. Average number of drugs per patient encounter was 3.7. Of the 446 prescribed drugs identified within study period, 24.2% of encounters received all their medications, 12.5% did not receive any of their prescribed medications while 62.6 % were prescribed by their generic names. Percentage of encounters with injection and antibiotics were 8.3% and 11.9% respectively. Average consulting and dispensing time were observed to be 8 and 1.52 minutes respectively. Percentage of patients who knew the correct drug dosage schedule they received was 62.5%. Percentage of key drugs and treatment guidelines availability were 75.8% and 77.8% respectively. Rational drug use and drug availability at the Hospital was not satisfactory. Adequate drug funding to ensure availability of essential medicines and education of stakeholders is vital to improve the situation.