Volume :
4
Issue :
1
Abstract :
Incomplete and illegible prescriptions adversely affect the health care system in general and the patients in particular. The objective of this study is to assess the prescribers adherence to the basic standard of prescription order writing in Jimma town private clinics. A retrospective study was conducted by using prescriptions from private clinics found in Jimma town; which were received by and documented in Red-Cross Pharmacy and Jimma University Model Drug Store from September 15 to February 15, 2006. A total of 384 prescriptions were selected and analyzed for the essential elements of prescriptions. Of the 384 prescriptions analyzed, name of the patient, age and sex were specified in 99.48%, 52.08%, and 55.99% of prescriptions, respectively. In 1.82%, 14.32% and 80.47% of the prescriptions, address, card number and date were specified, respectively. The prescriber was properly identified both by name and signature in 21.09% of the prescriptions. The hand writing of the prescribers was legible to read in 80.47% of the prescriptions. Out of the 799 prescribed drugs, dosage form, strength, route of administration and dose were indicted for 35.29%, 59.37%, 53.44% and 58.20% of the drugs, respectively. Frequency and duration of treatment and/or total dose to be supplied were included for 88.74% and 93.24% of the prescribed drugs, respectively. The result of the present study showed low adherence of prescribers to the basic standard of prescription writing, therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to reduce the non-adherence pattern.