Analysis of Off-label Drug Use in Outpatients of a Hospital during 2011-2012

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the status quo of off-label drug use in a hospital,and to analyze the causes and rationality of off-label drug use and put forward relevant solutions.METHODS:The prescriptions of outpatients were randomly selected from the hospital during 2011-2012 retrospect ively.The off-label drug use of them was confirmed and analyzed by package inserts.RESULTS CONCLUSIONS:A total of 3 826 outpatient prescriptions were selected and 182 of them were off-label drug use,accounting for 4.76%.Generally speaking,the off-label drug use in outpatients is at rare level in the hospital,but the pediatric patients are more common in off-label drug use.There is the off-label drug use occasionally during the clinic treatment due to the special demands;however,the clinic physicians shall strictly control the application of the off-label drug use by referring to the experience at home and abroad to ensure safe,effective,economical and appropriate use of drugs in the clinic.