Addressing Rational Prescribers Through the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Course Work of MBBS Syllabus in Bangladesh

Abstract

Pharmacology is most rapidly expanding science in medical discipline which leads to the development of many important drugs to treat many medical conditions that was previously untreatable. This paper focuses on the necessity of integration of pharmacology in the medical curriculum in all clinical phases and ethical aspects of medicine in terms of irrational prescribing. Irrational prescribing of drugs is a major global health problem in medical practice. Currently Pharmacology is taught at phase-II, a 2 year period in a 5 years undergraduate medical Programme in Bangladesh under the name ‘Pharmacology and Therapeutics’. Indiscriminate use of clinically inappropriate and ineffective medicines are a serious problem. Medicines in Bangladesh are inappropriately prescribed, again all kinds of drugs including controlled products are dispensed and sold out frequently without prescription. Henceforth there are regular violation of medical ethics and professionalism. As only pharmacology and therapeutics deals with the correct selection of drugs, the subject should be continued to teach up to phase-III. In addition, therapeutic discussion should be incorporated with proper logbook during internship in order to make safe and efficient prescribers. Supreme priority should be given to legal and ethical aspects of medicine. Medical professionals must uphold social order by ensuring ethical practices of medicine and appropriate role modelling especially by the faculty

Assessment of Bangladeshi Interns' Knowledge of Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Prescribing

“…Not the least of these is the 'therapeutic jungle', the term used to refer to the combination of the overwhelming number of drugs, the confusion over nomenclature and the associated uncertainty of the status of many of these drugs" (Gilman et al, 1985). The situation also exist in Bangladesh as there are more than 1100 generics and every year 50 to 60 new drug molecule is entering country's drug market (Salam et al, 2013). Thus 'drug explosion' also exist in least developed country like Bangladesh (McGettigan et al, 2001).…”

“…At many occasion these concept are quite complicated in early years of medical school. Henceforth, modern countries and in some neighbouring countries of Bangladesh has adopted newer more updated teaching methods with more clinical orientation and therapeutics and integration of curriculum to ensure more interest and effective teaching and learning (Michel et al, 2002;Flockhart et al, 2002;Orme et al, 2002;Vollebregt et al, 2006;MCI, 1997;Shankar et al, 2005;Aronson et al, 2006). These methods have significantly changed the situation of drug use.…”

“…These methods have significantly changed the situation of drug use. Therefore, ensures more rational use of medicine and communities are getting more safe and effective drugs (Michel et al, 2002;Flockhart et al, 2002;Orme et al, 2002;Vollebregt et al, 2006;MCI, 1997;Shankar et al, 2005;Aronson et al, 2006;Shankar et al, 2003;Richir et al, 2008). WHO also promoting as core intervention area for rational use of medicine (WHO, 2002).…”

Antimicrobial Use, Prescribing, and Resistance in Selected Ten Selected Developing Countries: A Brief Overview

“…It has been reported that Azar Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences 69% (220 cases of 318 admitted patients) had received antibiotics in internal, infectious disease, and surgical wards and ICUs [57]. Same study and several other studies conveyed that irrational prescription of medicine including antimicrobials possibly will result in poor health status and enormous financial impact for any community or country [57][58][59][60][61]. Antimicrobials alone took the share 30-50% of all prescribed medicine in quite a lot of countries [58,62].…”

Antibiotic therapy of choice for community-acquired pneumonia in Malaysian Hajj pilgrims: the pattern and associated factors

“…Multiple studies have reported that following guidelines promotes prudent and rational use of not only antibiotics, but also overall medication [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Special care should be taken regarding antimicrobial resistance, which is a global public health problem [23][24][25][26][27][28].…”