Aims Studies that compare prescribing patterns at different levels of the primary
healthcare system are lacking in Western Nepal. The present study was undertaken to
obtain information on age, sex distribution, and morbidity profiles of patients,
prescribing patterns and defined daily dose of commonly used drugs.
Methods The study was carried out over a three-month period (1 June 2000 to 31
August 2000) at four centres in the Kaski district, Western Nepal. Chi-square test was
used to compare differences in morbidity profiles and prescribing patterns (p <0.01).
Results There were significant differences in the average number of drugs per
prescription across different levels. The morbidity profiles were also different.
Vitamins were more commonly prescribed at the primary health centre level.
Antibiotics were prescribed in 67% of encounters at the level of primary health centre,
but the prescribing decreased at the levels of health post and sub-health post.
Conclusions The average number of drugs per prescription and the average cost were
higher at the primary health centre level and this may be due to the increased
prescribing frequency of vitamins and tonics. Comparisons of prescribing patterns at
different levels of healthcare, and between government and private healthcare
institutions, are urgently required.