Indicators of rational drug use and health services in Hadramout, Yemen

The irrational use of drugs remains a key health problem in many developing countries. Using WHO standard indicators of rational drug use, this study analysed 550 prescriptions from 20 health facilities at different levels throughout Hadramout governorate, Yemen. A mean of 2.8 (SD 0.2) drugs were prescribed per prescription, with a low rate of prescribing drugs by generic name (39.2%). The proportion of prescriptions for antibiotics was 66.2%, for injectable drugs 46.0% and for vitamins/tonics 23.6%. The essential drugs list was available in 78.9% of facilities and a high percentage of drugs were prescribed from the list (81.2%). Other official sources of local drug information were less available.