Antibiotic prescribing pattern of physicians at the general out-patient pharmacy of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Background: Abuse of antibacterial drugs has contributed greatly to the development of resistant strains globally. Prescribing pattern monitoring studies are drug utilization studies that focus on prescribing, dispensing, and administering drugs to promote rational use of medicines.

Objective: To assess antibiotic prescribing pattern of physicians at the general out-patient pharmacy of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba. Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: A one year Prescription audit was carried out for all prescriptions (N) with antibiotics, assessed for drug/antibiotic prescribing patterns and compliance with WHO prescribing indicators. Ethical approval (ADM/DCST/HREC/APP/2877) was obtained from the Hospital's Health Research and Ethics Committee.

Results: A total of 12,619 prescriptions (N) were audited with 1,416 (11.2%) antibiotic encounters (n). Demographic data revealed higher figures for male (56.2%) and adults (80.6%) patients. The mean number of antibiotics per prescription was 1.1±0.3 while the antibiotic mostly prescribed was the penicillin group (40.0%). Generic prescribing was 77.5% and the number of drugs per prescription was 3.2±1.5 compared with WHO standards of 100% and 1.6-1.8% respectively. The percentage encounter with injectables was 0.1%. There was a significant difference in the number of drugs and antibiotics prescribed per encounter between adults and children as (p=0.006) and (p=0.000) respectively. There were copies of the National Essential Drug List and Standard Treatment Guidelines in the facility.

Conclusion: The study showed antibiotic/drug prescribing pattern of the physicians and some gaps to be bridged. There is need to promote rational use of antibiotic/drugs in the facility through functional Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee and Drug and Therapeutics Committee of the Hospital.