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Brief Report
- Drug Prescription Indicators in Outpatient Services in Social Security Organization Facilities in Iran
- Afsoon Aeenparast, Ali Asghar Haeri Mehrizi, Farzaneh Maftoon, Faranak Farzadi
- J Prev Med Public Health. 2024;57(3):298-303. Published online April 4, 2024
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.23.424
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Abstract
Summary
PDF - Objectives
The aim of this study was to estimate drug prescription indicators in outpatient services provided at Iran Social Security Organization (SSO) healthcare facilities.
Methods
Data on all prescribed drugs for outpatient visits from 2017 to 2018 were extracted from the SSO database. The data were categorized into 4 main subgroups: patient characteristics, provider characteristics, service characteristics, and type of healthcare facility. Logistic regression models were used to detect risk factors for inappropriate drug prescriptions. SPSS and IBM Modeler software were utilized for data analysis.
Results
In 2017, approximately 150 981 752 drug items were issued to outpatients referred to SSO healthcare facilities in Iran. The average number of drug items per outpatient prescription was estimated at 3.33. The proportion of prescriptions that included an injection was 17.5%, and the rate of prescriptions that included an antibiotic was 37.5%. Factors such as patient sex and age, provider specialty, type of facility, and time of outpatient visit were associated with the risk of inappropriate prescriptions.
Conclusions
In this study, all drug prescription criteria exceeded the recommended limits set by the World Health Organization. To improve the current prescription patterns throughout the country, it would be beneficial to provide providers with monthly and annual reports and to consider implementing some prescription policies for physicians. -
SummaryKey Message
In present research all drug prescriptions in Iran Social Security outpatient facilities were assessed. In all 45,312,540 studied prescriptions, the average number of drug items per prescriptions was 3.33 items. 17.5% of prescriptions contained injection and 37.5% contained antibiotic. Patient sex and age, provider specialty, type of facility were associated with the risk of inappropriate prescriptions. It seems that correct policy making and proper supervision alongside health education will be core basis for improving drug prescription and use.
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