Consequences of over-prescribing on the dispensing process in rural Nepal.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of increasing numbers of drugs prescribed on the dispensing process in rural Nepal.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey, on average 25 exiting patients per facility in 33 government health facilities.


METHODS
Percentage of cases where there was a dispensing error, and where the patient knew the dosing schedules of the dispensed drugs.


RESULTS
A greater number of drug items prescribed and dispensed per patient was significantly associated with a greater percentage of cases where there was a dispensing error (P=0.00000), and where the patient did not know the dosing schedules of the dispensed drugs (P=0.00000).


CONCLUSIONS
The prescribing (and dispensing) of more drugs per patient, an indication of over-prescription, is associated with significantly poorer dispensing.
The Britain Nepal Medical Trust, Morang, Nepal. hollowayk@who
K A
KA
Holloway
B R
BR
Gautam
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009390:Nepal; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012423:Rural Health
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations