A Survey of Off-label and Unlicensed Prescribing Drugs at a Community Hospital in ThailandN. Narong* and C. Sitthiworanan
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The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of off-label and unlicensed prescribing drugs by using all computer-based prescription records of adults who visited the outpatient department in a community hospital over the 2-week period. Information on licensed product was derived from package insert which was approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Thailand, and was used to determine whether prescribed drugs were licensed, unlicensed, or in an off-label manner. A total of 3,155 items were prescribed and there were 113 different drugs. There were no prescribed unlicensed drugs. Of prescribed items, 85% were licensed drugs and prescribed on-label while 15% were prescribed off-label. The most common off-label prescribing was associated with dosage/frequency (438 items; 14%) and 1% was associated with indication. The most common off-label prescribed items were used for respiratory disorders, followed by those for cardiovascular disorders.
Keyword:
community hospital, drug use, off-label drug, unlicensed drug, Off-label, Prescribing Drug, respiratory disorders
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