Rational Use of Drugs: WHO Conference 1985

Rational Drug Use

• Goal: To ensure that drugs are used appropriately and effectively, with minimal risk to patients
• Key Principles:
  • Cost-effectiveness: Using the most affordable and effective medication
  • Patient-centeredness: Considering the patient's individual needs and preferences
  • Evidence-based: Utilizing scientific evidence to guide drug selection and administration

Factors Contributing to Poor Medicine Management

• Inadequate knowledge: Lack of understanding about the proper use of medications.
• Limited resources: Insufficient access to healthcare infrastructure and essential drugs.
• Financial constraints: High costs associated with medications.
• Cultural beliefs: Misconceptions and traditional practices impacting medicine use.

Irrational Drug Use

• Definition: The use of medication against the principles of rational drug use.
• Common Consequences:
  • Adverse drug events: Unwanted effects from medication use.
  • Increased healthcare costs: Unnecessary expenses for medications.
  • Drug resistance: Emergence of drug-resistant pathogens.
  • Decreased medication effectiveness: Suboptimal treatment outcomes.

Pharmaceutical Dispensing Practices in PHC

• Issue: Lack of standardization in dispensing practices, leading to medication errors and misuse.

Patient Non-Compliance

• Definition: Deviation from the prescribed medication regimen.
• Terms:
  • Non-adherence: Lack of awareness or inability to follow the prescribed regimen.
  • Non-compliance: Conscious decision by the patient to deviate from the instructions.

Benefits of Rational Drug Use

• Improved patient outcomes: Enhanced treatment effectiveness and reduced complications.
• Reduced healthcare costs: Optimize resource utilization and minimize unnecessary expenses.
• Enhanced patient safety: Minimize risks associated with medication use.

Physical Limitations and Medicine Management

• Factors:
  • Difficulty swallowing pills
  • Impaired vision, affecting medication labeling
  • Physical impairments affecting medication administration.

Strategies for Improving Drug Use

• Primary Goal: Optimize medication use to improve patient well-being and minimize risks.

Medication Use in PHC

• Injection Prevalence: High percentage of patients in PHC settings receive injections, many of which are unnecessary.

Irrational Prescribing

• Examples:
  • Prescribing antibiotics for viral infections
  • Over-prescribing medication
  • Prescribing medication based on patient demand rather than clinical need.

Drug Use Terminology

• Drug Use Cycle: Encompasses prescribing, dispensing, and patient use of medications.

Consequences of Irrational Drug Use

• Adverse events: Unintended effects from medication use, ranging from mild to severe.

Patient Non-Compliance: Intentional and Unintentional

• Intentional Non-compliance: A conscious decision by the patient to deviate from prescribed medication use, often due to factors like cost, perceived side effects, or lack of understanding about the medication's purpose.

• Unintentional Non-compliance: Factors that lead to unintentional lack of adherence to the prescribed regimen, such as forgetting to take medication, difficulties remembering dosage, or misunderstandings about the regimen.

Drug Misuse

• Definition: Using medication in a way that is not as prescribed, including taking the wrong dosage, using it for a different reason than intended, or sharing medication.

Patient-Physician Interaction

• Potential Outcome of Poor Interaction: Lack of understanding and trust between the patient and physician can lead to non-compliance.

Rational Drug Use Characteristics

• Key Features:
  • Appropriate selection of medication: Choosing the right drug for the specific condition.
  • Appropriate dosage and duration of treatment: Providing the correct dosage and duration of medication use.
  • Patient education and counseling: Ensuring patients understand their medication and how to use it safely and effectively.

Test your knowledge on the rational use of drugs, including correct drug selection, appropriate dosage, and patient adherence. This quiz is based on the WHO conference of experts in Nairobi, 1985, and covers key principles for healthcare professionals.