Prescription Pattern for Dermatological Conditions among Specialists and General Practitioner”

摘要

Dermatological conditions are not always treated by a dermatologist; physicians from other specialists and fields are also involved. Knowing the prescription patterns can help in understanding the gap in treatment. The aim is to study the prescribing patterns and errors for dermatological conditions by physicians specialized in dermatology and others in ten pharmacies located in the Chennai city. A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted for a month from February – March 2013, analysing 972 prescriptions from ten pharmacies in an urban locality. Nearly 75% of the prescriptions contain more than three drugs. About 95% specialist prescriptions had diagnosis, while only 46% non-specialist prescriptions had diagnosis. There is severe lack in prescription completeness, almost all prescriptions lacked strength, quantity, direction of use, frequency, site of one or the other drugs. Steroid treatment forms the basis of therapy in 30% prescriptions. Very potent steroids were most frequently prescribed by specialist. Lack of diagnosis in the prescription given by non-specialist obviously shows there inconclusiveness to come to a diagnosis. Continuous medical educations must be there to have thorough understanding in dermatology by physicians from other specialist, since they are more frequently encountering skin lesions. Also as any other prescription audit study indicates this study also shows the seriousness of polypharmacy and its impact.