Prescribing practices of antibiotics in outpatient setting of a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan: An observational study

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a form of drug resistance whereby certain sub-populations of a microorganism, usually a
bacterial species, are able to survive after exposure to one or more antibiotics; pathogens resistant to multiple
antibiotics are considered multidrug resistant (MDR) and the issue is the subject of ongoing investigation these days.
The present study observed the rationality of antibiotics prescribed in an outpatient setting in a tertiary care hospital.
A prospective cohort study was conducted for 2 months on the patients who were prescribed antibiotics in a tertiary
care hospital in outpatient setting. The prescriptions of patients were evaluated with respect to the medical condition
of the patient. A total of 500 prescriptions were evaluated for rationality out of which 240 prescriptions (48%) were
rational and 260 prescriptions (52%) were found to be irrational. The misuse of antibiotics continues to haunt the
health care system of Pakistan and pose a threat of pandemic of bacterial resistance due to irrational use.
Interventions by clinical pharmacists in the given situation are the need of the hour.