Review Analysis on Prescriptions of Off-label Drug Use in Outpatients of A Hospital

Objective: To analyze the current off- label drug use of outpatient prescriptions in Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University,and to provide a reference for rational clinical drug use. Methods: Outpatient prescriptions at their own expense from July 2012 to December 2013 were randomly selected. Referring to the dispensatories and evidences on the basis of the evidence- based medicine,we found out the unlicensed drug uses and statistically analyzed these prescriptions by department distribution,type distribution and drug distribution. Results: In the sample prescriptions,the top three incidence rates of off-label drug use appeared in department of rheumatology(41.67%),paediatrics(19.44%) and gynaecology and obstetrics(11.11%). In the types of off-label drug use,the component percentage of indication was 62.96%(68/108),which ranked the first,followed by dose and route of administration,accounting for 26.85%(29/108). As to the drug distribution of unlabeled use,the highest incidence appeared on sulfasalazine,accounting for47.22%(51/108),followed by ambroxol and metformin,accounting for 12.96%(12/108) and 12.04%(13/108),respectively. Conclusion: The hospital should strengthen the management of drug use and be cautious about unlicensed drug use,in order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medications on patients.