The quality of prescription drug utilization five years after the 2003 Bam earthquake

Abstract

Purpose

Few reports considering drug use among earthquake survivors exist. The present study aims to examine the Bam earthquake's impact on prescribing patterns and drug use among residents five years post‐disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 297,104 prescriptions, issued by general practitioners in Bam city in 2008, were investigated for drugs/prescriptions, drug name, drug category, using WHO appropriate general practice prescribing indicators.

Findings

Mean drugs per prescription was 3.1. Drugs affecting the central nervous system were the most frequently used among Bam residents, representing 25.1 per cent, followed by antimicrobials, respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal tract drugs. Benzodiazepines were the most frequently used central nervous system drugs (15.8 per cent) followed by narcotic analgesics and tricyclic antidepressants. Penicillins (6.4 per cent) and cephalosporines (2.3 per cent) were the most frequently used antimicrobial drugs.

Originality/value

Results emphasize increased drug use for psychological disturbances and the need for strategies to improve mental health among disaster survivors.

Citation

Sepehri, G., Haj‐Akbari, N., Sepehri, E. and Mohsen‐Beigi, M. (2012), "The quality of prescription drug utilization five years after the 2003 Bam earthquake", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 25 No. 7, pp. 582-591. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526861211261181