Aim: Prescription writing is a science and an art, as it conveys the message from the prescriber to the patient. Prescribing an
inappropriate drug is a global problem.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the adherence of prescribers towards the basic principles of prescription order
writing.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from February 18 - 22, 2013 to assess the prescriber adherence to
basic principle of prescription in Shashemene Referral Hospital (SRH) & Malka Oda District Hospital (MODH) pharmacies on oneyear
prescriptions.
Results: A Total of 384 prescriptions were analyzed of which 234 &150 prescriptions were collected from MODH & SRH pharmacies
respectively. The main findings were, name of the patients and sex was mentioned in 100% & nearly 98% of the prescriptions in
both hospital pharmacies. Some prescriptions were found with missing date and legible handwriting which accounted 58.12%, 10%
(MODH) & 59.17%, 10% (SRH). However, similar results were obtained for illegible handwriting (10%) in both hospital pharmacies.
The most frequently missed drug information by prescribers was the dosage form which accounted 63.25% & 56.67% for MODH &
SRH respectively.
Conclusion: The results showed that there was relatively poor adherence of prescribers following the basic principles of prescription
order writing in both hospital pharmacies. However, the results of SRH were better than MODH. There might be a need for continuing
education of prescribers and adoption of best methods to improve the quality of prescription order writing and promote the rational
use of drugs.
Key words: Prescribers; Adherence; Prescription Order Writing; Hospital Pharmacies; Ethiopia.
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