2. RDU defined as the use of an appropriate ,efficacious, safe and cost
effective drug given for right indication, in the right dose and
formulation, at right interval for the right duration of time.
3. IMPORTANCE OF RDU
Related to impact on health of individuals & communities
health care costs
environment
IRRATIONAL USE leads to ineffective and unsafe drug
treatment , worsening or prolonging of illness and ADR.
4. Pharmacist role in RDU
1.Drug procurement: Selection and range of drugs should be based
on essential drug concept relevant to needs of situation.
All measures should be undertaken to
provide affordable & quality drugs.
5. Four strategic objectives of pharmaceuticals procurement are
1. Procure the most cost effective drugs in the right
quantity.
2. Select reliable supplier of high quality product
3. Ensure timely delivery
4. Achieve the lowest possible cost
6. Inventory Control
Information & education: Pharmacist should interact with other
health professionals and inform them of the introduction of new
drugs, drug policy changes in the hospital, availability of drugs &
drug related problem.
Pharmaceutical care.
7. Guidelines for rational prescribing:
1. Define the patient’s problem and then specify the
therapeutic objective for the problem.
2. Use drugs only when indicated and when the potential
benefits of drug therapy outweigh the potential risk.
3. Choose the drug of proven efficacy & safety. The drug
must be suitable for individual patient and be affordable.
4. Choose the drug suitable for individual patient.
8. 5. Avoid using more than one drug of the same chemical class
at the same time.
6. Monitor the effects of treatment
7. If treatment has not been effective identify why
8. Continue treatment only if the therapeutic objective is still
relevant.
9. Rational use of antibiotic:
1. Use antibiotic only when indicated.
2. When appropriate, specimens for gram stain, culture and
sensitivity testing should be obtained before commencing antibiotic
therapy.
3. The choice of the agent should be based on the factor such as
spectrum of activity in relation to the known or suspected causative
organism ,safety, previous clinical response cost, ease of use and
the potential of selection of resistant organism.
4. Adequate dose and duration of treatment
5. History of allergy or other adr should be discussed.
6. Prophylactic use of antibiotics should be restrcited.
10. 7. Empirical antibiotic therapy should be based where possible
on local epidemiological data on potential pathogens and
their patterns of sensitivity.
8. Antibiotic therapy directed at specific organism should
include the most effective, least toxic and narrowest
spectrum agent available .
11. 9. Oral therapy should be used in preference to parenteral
therapy wherever clinically possible.
10. Antimicrobial combination should only be used where
indicated.
11. Topical antibiotics should be restricted in a few proven
indications because they may select resistant organism and
cause hypersensitivity reactions.
