Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice 3 2 2014 04 01 Evaluation of medicine prescription pattern using World Health Organization prescribing indicators in Iran: A cross‑sectional study 39 45 30134 EN . Aliasghar Karimi Food and Drug Organization, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran . Malikeh Haerizadeh National Committee on Rational Drug Use, Food and Drug Organization, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran . Fatemeh Soleymani National Committee on Rational Drug Use, Food and Drug Organization, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Food and Drug Organization, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Policy Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran . Mahshid Haerizadeh Department of Natural and Traditional Medicines, Food and Drug Organization, Tehran, Iran . Forouzan Taheri National Committee on Rational Drug Use, Food and Drug Organization, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2023 03 27 Objective: The objective was to quantify the specialists’ prescription pattern in Iran and <br />to point out the prescribing behavioral differences among several specialties.<br />Methods: A retrospective cross‑sectional study was carried out on the claim data. National <br />prescription data were obtained on the basis of the claims that the pharmacies submitted <br />to the insurers during 1 year period of the study. More than 85 million prescriptions were <br />analyzed using “Rx‑Analyst” software that is designed and applied by National Committee <br />of Rational Use of Medicines in Iran. Specified medical specialties were considered and the <br />World Health Organization prescription indicators were used to evaluate the physicians’ <br />prescribing behavior.<br />Findings: Average items per prescription were ranged from 3.68 in cardiologists’ to 2.06 <br />in dermatologists’ prescriptions. The highest and the lowest mean price were belonged to <br />neurologists’ and ophthalmologists’ prescriptions, respectively. In addition, 45% of patients <br />received antibiotics, 41% of patients received injectable form of drugs, and 23% received <br />corticosteroids. A high tendency toward prescribing corticosteroids and antibiotics as well <br />as an injectable form of medicines was observed among general physicians.<br />Conclusion: There is an inevitable need to improve prescription habits among different <br />specialties, especially among general practitioners. This causes the policymakers to put more <br />emphasis on priorities such as continuous education.<br /><br /> https://jrpp.mui.ac.ir/article_30134_c980fea9ff9c4bb4b175e2708d05e417.pdf