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Antibiotics

Widespread Irrationality in Antibiotic Prescriptions Revealed in New Study

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A comprehensive study has exposed a concerning trend of irrational antibiotic prescribing in outpatient public healthcare settings in Panchkula, Haryana, highlighting the urgent need for a robust antimicrobial stewardship program. The cross-sectional study, conducted across 18 primary and two secondary healthcare facilities, found that only 0.4% of prescriptions were comprehensive, with 76.3% deemed irrational. This study shines a light on the critical issue of antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the importance of proper antibiotic use.

Key Takeaways:

  • Of 945 antibiotic prescriptions, only 0.4% (n=4) were comprehensive.
  • Among 647 prescriptions eligible for rationality assessment, 44% (n=285) indicated antibiotic therapy, but only 3.5% (n=33) were rational, while 76.3% (n=721) were irrational.
  • Irrational prescriptions were most common in respiratory (n=415, 95%), gastrointestinal (n=105, 92.9%), and dermatological (n=21, 76%) ailments.
  • Prescribed antibiotic doses exceeded the WHO-DDD recommendations, with irrational prescribing significantly higher among pediatric prescriptions (89.6%) compared to adult prescriptions (74.3%).
  • A comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship program is essential to address the widespread irrationality in antibiotic prescribing.

Statistics:

  • Total antibiotic prescriptions evaluated: 945
  • Comprehensive prescriptions: 4 (0.4%)
  • Rational prescriptions: 33 (3.5% of antibiotic therapy prescriptions)
  • Irrational prescriptions: 721 (76.3% of antibiotic therapy prescriptions)
  • Prescriptions with excessive antibiotic doses: 89.6% (pediatric) and 74.3% (adult)

Sources:

  • The Indian Journal of Medical Research (2025; vol. 162, no. 2, 175-185), "Rational use of antibiotics at primary & secondary healthcare facilities in district Panchkula, Haryana, North India: A cross-sectional study"
  • NewsRx (2025), "Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health Details Findings in Antibiotics (Rational use of antibiotics at primary & secondary healthcare facilities in district Panchkula, Haryana, North India: A cross-sectional study)"
  • World Health Organization (WHO), Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical and Defined Daily Dose Index (WHOCC-ATC/DDD)

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