Author/Authors :
Mohlala, G. Human Sciences Research Council - Health Systems Development Unit, South Africa , Peltzer, K. Human Sciences Research Council - Health Systems Development Unit, South Africa , Peltzer, K. University of the Free State, South Africa , Phaswana-Mafuya, N. Human Sciences Research Council - Health Systems Development Unit, South Africa , Phaswana-Mafuya, N. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa , Ramlagan, S. Human Sciences Research Council - Health Systems Development Unit, South Africa
Abstract :
The aim of this study was to explore drug prescription habits using WHO standard indicators in 15 public hospitals and 36 private surgeries in 2 provinces in South Africa. A high mean number of drugs were prescribed per patient (3.2 versus 2.8) in public hospitals and by general practitioners (GPs) respectively and generic prescribing rates were low (45.2% versus 24.5%). The rates of prescribing in public hospitals and by GPs were 8.3% versus 23.3% for injections, 68.1% versus 31.9% for antibiotics and 92.6% versus 68.5% for drugs from the essential drugs list. Drug prescribing in both sectors needs to be regulated, especially the use of antibiotics, essential drugs and generic prescribing.
