Drugs with a high prescription rate Patients category affected Reason for irrational use or practice Local policy introduces Success and challenges since the introduction of the policy
Paracetamol tablet
Pregnant women
Prescribe paracetamol as an incentive for patients’ patronage with FHC services
All medicines must be prescribed only if clinically needed by patients.
A substantial decrease in the rate of paracetamol prescribing over time. Sustainability might be a challenge
Nystatin syrup
Children under five
When under-five children have present with white patches in the mouth
The clinicians must establish the possible existence of a fungal infection.
A decrease in Nystatin prescribing rate. Laboratory diagnosis of fungal infection is a challenge
Artemether and lumefantrine (FDC)
Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under five
Patients presenting with high body temperature were prescribed antimalarial without definitive laboratory diagnosis
Dispensed only if there is an accompanying positive lab report
A reduction in the rate of antimalaria prescribing. Sustainability of the policy might be a challenge
Amoxicillin syrup tablets Or capsules
All patients
All patients with signs of upper respiratory infection.
Not more than one antibiotic on a patient’s prescription
Decrease wastage of medicines and unnecessary use of antibiotics
Prescription leaflets All patients Non-prescribers without the legal framework use to prescribed for patients All prescriptions must come from doctors, CHO or healthcare provider with the legal framework and competence Preventions of medication errors, and wastage of medicines
Prescription All patients Some healthcare providers prescribing on any leaflets All prescriptions must be written on the hospital provided prescription leaflets before drugs can be dispensed. Reduction in prescriptions with errors and medicines wastage
Prescription Under-five children Effective dosage calculation in an instance where the prescribers omit dosage. The weight of the child must be written in all prescriptions for children under the age of five. Help prevent overdosing and drug toxicities