Core Knowledge of Key Policies in Drug Formulary and Interventions for Prescribing Practice Among Medical Officers and Students: Sri Lankan Perspective

Abstract

Awareness for effective use of drug formulary and prescribing practices for medical practitioners and students is essential to maintain an affordable and sustainable health care system for a country. In this study, knowledge and attitude of Medical Practitioners (MPs) and Medical Students (MSs) on key policies of drug formulary and prescribing practices were assessed. Forty two MPs and 120 MSs from hospital and the Faculty of Medicine were given a pretested structured questionnaire on knowledge of drug formulary and prescribing practices, strongest evidence about best drug data resources on interventions for improving prescribing practices, basic drug information in formulary. Filled questionnaire was considered for data analysis. We found that only 81 % of MPs were confident about the knowledge on basic drug information in formulary but students had shown more knowledge (91 %). Knowledge on the intervention for improving prescribing practices showed that 59 % of MPs had selected the correct answer but 89 % of MSs had selected the correct answer. 37 % MPs and 56 % of MSs selected the pharmaceutical industry as the best intervention programme. In contrast both of MPs and MSs (74 % and 72 % respectively) had understood that the randomized control trials are the strongest evidence for drug information and prescribing. But knowledge on scientific evidence for RUM was not correctly understood by both groups. It is concerned that MSs had better knowledge on correct intervention programme than MPs. Therefore it is a great requirement to augment the in service teaching and training programme in practical applications of RUM at timely interval. Both groups need more training on basic drug information about formulary and overall we believe to enhance the cost effectiveness of treatment strategies.