A RETROSPECTIVE AUDIT OF DRUG PRESCRIBING PATTERNS AMONG THE PATIENTS VISITED THE DENTAL CLINIC OF A PRIVATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY IN KEDAH, MALAYSIA

Introduction: Irrational use of drugs is widespread in present-day medical practice. Hence, the present study aimed to analyze the drug prescribing pattern among the patients who visited the Faculty of Dentistry dental clinic, AIMST University. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the drug prescribing pattern of dentists of AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia. A total of 857 patients’ medical records were scrutinized between January 2018 to March 2018, and only 532 patients’ medical records were identified to have drug prescriptions. Patients’ drug prescription data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Drug prescription books of 532 patients were analyzed. Female patients were greater in number [325(61.09%)]. The most common dental problem was gingivitis [275(28.29%)] followed by dental carries [215(22.12%)], periodontitis [198(20.37%)] and edentulous [157(16.16%)]. A total of 965 drugs were prescribed, with an average number of 1.81 drugs per prescription. The commonest therapeutic class of drug prescribed was NSAIDs [432(44.77)] followed by antimicrobials [309(32.02)]. The percentage of encounters with an antibiotic prescription was higher (32.02%) than the WHO standard value (20-27%). Generic drug prescription was 64.77%. Most drugs (84.37%) are prescribed from the essential drug list of Malaysia. Conclusion: Study revealed a moderate drug prescribing behaviour of dentists. However, low generic drug prescriptions and irrational use of antibiotics enhance the probability of antibiotic resistance, adverse effects, and economic burden on patients. Dentists must be motivated for generic prescribing and judicious use of antibiotics to ensure a good standard of care in dental practice.