title: "Rx--the mistakes we make!!": a short study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is concern regarding the irrational production, prescription and use of drugs in India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe the quality of prescriptions by dental practitioners of one particular college in a short period of time.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of all prescriptions dispensed from the various departments of K.L.E.S.'s Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, was conducted by collecting them from the patients exiting the college premises. The prescriptions were photocopied and handed back to the patients. The samples were collected over a period of 7 days. The samples were then analyzed for their content based on an ideal prescription format and the results were tabulated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings of the study suggest that most of the prescriptions given are woefully inadequate in content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that a clear policy about the standard of prescriptions and periodic internal monitoring is the answer for quality prescriptions. Computerization of the prescription format is also a thought-provoking alternative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, K.L.E.S's Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, India. planetrathnam@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rathnam
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Madan
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003792:Dental Records; D003815:Dentists; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000145:classification; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs