Ethical practice and rational use

Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt (Mrs.) Ghana National Drugs Programme Ethical Practice and Rational use 06/09/09 Ethical Practice and Rational Use of Medicines

Outline
Introduction
The ethics of our jobs
Rational use
Regulations
Conclusion
06/09/09 Ethical Practice and Rational Use of Medicines

Introduction
The Sunyani declaration
The preamble of The Code is meant to ensure that members adhere to the highest ethical standards, professional competence and good behavior in carrying out their duties
Social responsibility:
‘ In collecting and disseminating information, the journalist should bear in mind his/her responsibility to the public at large and the various interests in society’

Rational Use of Medicines
The rational use of medicines requires that patients receive medicines appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them and the community.
(WHO 1975)

‘ Criteria’ for Using Medicines
Appropriate indication
Appropriate drug
Affordable & necessary
Appropriate administration, dosage and duration
Appropriate patient
Appropriate patient information
Appropriate evaluation

Irrational Use of Drugs
The use of drugs when no drug therapy is indicated
The use of wrong drugs for a specific condition requiring drug therapy
The use of drugs with doubtful or unproven efficacy

Commonly Encountered
Overuse of antibiotics and anti-diarrhoeal agents for nonspecific childhood diarrhoea
Indiscriminate use of antibiotics for mild, non-bacterial infections (URTI)
Indiscriminate use of injection

Commonly Encountered
Multiple drug prescription (over prescription)
Multivitamins and tonics for every complaint
Anabolic and other steroids for growth, appetite stimulation etc.

Who Is To ‘Blame’ For This?
Patients
Prescribers
Drug Supply System
Drug Promotion
Regulation

Regulations
Under PNDCL 305B and under LI 1541, it is an offence to offer for sale products that are unwholesome, improperly labelled or expired
For further information
www ghndp.org
www.fdbghana.gov.gh

Some achievements
Standard Treatment guidelines available ( Sixth edition under review)
Essential medicines list/Health Insurance Medicines lists available
Training of different target groups
Doctors/Prescribers
Pharmacists
Nurses
Media- Health Communication Institute
Monitoring of Rational Medicine Use Indicators

Some Rational use Indicators Ethical Practice and Rational Use of Medicines 06/09/09 Indicator Median Average 2006 2006 2002 1998 Number of medicines prescribed per patient contact 3.98 3.98 3.46 4.6 % patients receiving antibiotics 48.35 47.7 42.8 54.0 % patients receiving injections 33.15 30.59 34.90 42.0 % prescribed medicines on EDL 83.80 78.92 96.10 96.1 % prescribed medicines being generics 56.70 55.64 - -

Challenges
Advertisements
Transparency issues
Accountability issues
Change agents

Conclusions
Medicines although ‘public good’ are not ordinary articles of commerce
We all have a duty and responsibility to the public
Let us support approaches to promoting rational use of medicines in Ghana
Let us be active participants of the MeTA Strategy

Ethical practice and rational use

by MeTApresents on Apr 24, 2009

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Ethical practice and rational use — Presentation Transcript