Frequency of prescribing injectable medicines to patients by general practitioners in Hazara, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To check the frequency of prescribing injectable medicines by general practitioners to adult outdoor patients and to identify the factors involved in such practice. Specially designed forms were distributed amongst the leading general practitioners in Hazara division. Data regarding the diagnosis, drug category, route of administration, number of injections prescribed and whether the patient influenced the decision to prescribe were recorded. The names of general practitioners and their patients were not to be mentioned. Findings: Injections from different drug categories were included in 31.88% of the prescriptions. 92.6% of these were for intramuscular, 7% for intravenous, and 0.4% for subcutaneous route. 67.43% of the injections were for myalgias, general debility, joints and connective tissue disorders. 78.64% of such prescriptions included drugs from B-Complex, analgesic and antipyretic group. 64.37% of injections were prescribed on patients request while 10.97% of the injections were to be given once or twice only. Conclusions: There is alarmingly high frequency of prescribing injectable medicines by general practitioners. The drugs most commonly prescribed were not from life saving category and were unnecessary. The request of the patient contributes significantly. Education regarding health hazards in such practice is important. General practitioners have a role to play in limiting the use of injections when oral treatment will suffice