PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF ANALGESIC DRUGS IN 13 RURAL & REGIONAL HOSPITALS OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Analgesics are among the most prescribed categories of drugs. They are mostly prescribed in combination with other classes of drugs and rarely alone. A study covering 13 hospitals in 7 regions (50% of the total Ministry of Health hospitals in those regions) was conducted to asses the pattern, extent and type of analgesics prescribed and to suggest the possible ways by which drugs could be used more rationally. The study showed that of all patients seen in out-patient departments, (in one day) 34.2% received analgesics. Little variation in prescribing patterns was seen among the hospitals. In the majority of cases there was only one analgesic per prescription and 6.3% with 2 analgesics. On the other hand, more than 90% of analgesics were prescribed in combination with other classes of drugs. The four popular analgesics prescribed were dipyrone 34.2% , acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) 28%, paracetamol 19.1% and avafortan (camylofin and dipyrone) 17.7%. Analgesics (pain killers) in most cases should only be used when the cause of pain can not be removed. Further, as most of them are toxic and potentially dangerous for use, it is an area in which improvement could and should occur