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Published on December 13, 2007

"We have clear evidence that even at the best medical schools in developing countries, antibiotics as well as other medicines are irrationally prescribed for more than 50 per cent of prescriptions," he said.

This could cause poor patient outcomes, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, increasing antimicrobial resistance and wasted resources, he told the "Regional Meeting on the Role of Education in the Rational Use of Medicine".

Drug suppliers were trying to influence doctors in hospitals and clinics to use their products and prescribe them even though they were not suited for the patient, he said.

Drugmakers were also trying to educate patients with incorrect information about using drugs not suitable for ailments. They could not treat patient's symptoms and might trigger adverse side effects, he said.

In developing countries such as Thailand, dangerous drugs were sold without effective control in drugstores or even grocery stores. The marketing of medicine to consumers and physicians was very aggressive.

"The pharmaceutical companies know this very well and have been using this knowledge very effectively. We must do more than that," he said.

Medical, pharmacy and health-professional schools should have significant roles to play such as producing graduates with enough knowledge to prescribe and dispense medicine, he said. More importantly, they should set an example to other medical institutions to prescribe medicine rationally.

Dr Surasak Thaneepanich-skul, chairman of the organising committee, said about 120 participants from 11 countries in Southeast Asia were attending the three-day meeting, which runs until tomorrow.

The event aims to develop and strengthen the rational use of medicine through education of consumers in the region. It focuses on education.

 Pongphon Sarnsamak

 The Nation