title: Analysis of prescriptions dispensed at community pharmacies in Nablus, Palestine.
abstract: We investigated the prescription quality and prescribing trends of private clinicians in Nablus governorate, Palestine. A total of 363 prescriptions were collected from a random sample of 36 community pharmacies over a study period of 288 working hours. Data regarding elements in the prescription and the types of drugs prescribed were analysed. Physician-related variables were mostly noted, however, patient's address and weight were absent in all prescriptions and less than half included age and sex. Information regarding strength of the medications prescribed was missing in over 70% of prescriptions. Other drug-related variables like frequency and instruction of use were present in over 80% of prescriptions. Antimicrobial agents were the most commonly prescribed followed by NSAIDs/analgesics. Amoxicillin alone or in combination was the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agents followed by cefuroxime. Prescription writing quality in Nablus is deficient in certain aspects and improvement is required.
authors.affiliation: Poison Control and Drug Information Centre, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine. ansam@najah.edu
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Sawalha
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Sweileh
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zyoud
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Al-Jabi
authors.forename: F F Bni
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Shamseh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Odah
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016568:Drugs, Generic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014956:Writing / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016568:Drugs, Generic; D055553:Prescription Drugs