Rational Prescribing & Prescription Writing Once a patient with a clinical problem has been evaluated and a diagnosis has been reached, the practitioner can often select from a variety of therapeutic approaches.

Medication, Surgery, Psychiatric treatment, radiation, physical therapy, health education, counseling, further consultation and no therapy are some of the options are available., of these options, drug therapy is by far the most frequently chosen. In most cases,this requires the writing of a prescription. Medication, Surgery, Psychiatric treatment, radiation, physical therapy, health education, counseling, further consultation and no therapy are some of the options are available., of these options, drug therapy is by far the most frequently chosen. In most cases,this requires the writing of a prescription.

A written prescription is the prescriber’s order to prepare or dispense a specific treatment usually medication for a specific patient. A written prescription is the prescriber’s order to prepare or dispense a specific treatment usually medication for a specific patient.

Rational Prescribing : Rational Prescribing : Like any other process in healthcare, writing a prescription should be based on a series of rational steps. Like any other process in healthcare, writing a prescription should be based on a series of rational steps. 1. Make a specific diagnosis 1. Make a specific diagnosis 2. Consider the pathophysiologic implication of diagnosis 2. Consider the pathophysiologic implication of diagnosis 3.Select a specific therapeutic object 3.Select a specific therapeutic object

4. Select a drug of choice 4. Select a drug of choice 5.Determine the appropriate dosing regimen 5.Determine the appropriate dosing regimen 6.Devise a plan for monitoring the drug’s action 6.Devise a plan for monitoring the drug’s action and determine an end point for therapy and determine an end point for therapy 7.Plan a program of patient education 7.Plan a program of patient education

Elements of the prescription: Elements of the prescription: 1.Name of the prescriber 1.Name of the prescriber 2.Professional degree 2.Professional degree 3.Address 3.Address 4.Office telephone # 4.Office telephone # 5.Date of prescription 5.Date of prescription 6.Name of the patient 6.Name of the patient 7.Address of the patient 7.Address of the patient

8.Drug name 8.Drug name 9.Strength of drugs 9.Strength of drugs 10.Quantity of drugs 10.Quantity of drugs 11.Signature (directions of medicine to be used) 11.Signature (directions of medicine to be used) 12.Refill (repeat prescription)----Times or until 12.Refill (repeat prescription)----Times or until 13.Child proof container 13.Child proof container 14.Warning (eg. May cause sedation, don’t take alcohol etc. 14.Warning (eg. May cause sedation, don’t take alcohol etc.

15. prescriber’s signature 15. prescriber’s signature 16. License no./ Registration no. 16. License no./ Registration no.

Common prescribing errors : Common prescribing errors : a. Omission of needed information a. Omission of needed information b. Poor prescription writing b. Poor prescription writing c. Inappropriate drug prescription c. Inappropriate drug prescription

COMPLIANCE/ NON COMPLIANCE COMPLIANCE/ NON COMPLIANCE Four types of non compliance leading to medication error Four types of non compliance leading to medication error 1. The patient fails to obtain medication 1. The patient fails to obtain medication 2.The patient fails to take medication 2.The patient fails to take medication 3.The patient prematurely discontinues 3.The patient prematurely discontinues medication medication 4. The patient ( or another person) takes medication 4. The patient ( or another person) takes medication inappropriately.For example, the patient share a medication inappropriately.For example, the patient share a medication with others for any of several reasons. with others for any of several reasons..