Patterns of drug prescription among hospitalized patients in a tertiary women's hospital: A retrospective drug utilization study.

ObjectiveOptimal utilization of drugs and judicious prescription, combined with high-quality and accessible supplies, are crucial for enhancing the efficacy of healthcare services. This study evaluated the prescribing practices at Women's Specialized Hospital in Shiraz, Iran, the largest women's specialized hospital in southern Iran.MethodsThis retrospective observational drug utilization study analyzed prescription data from 13,909 hospitalized patients. Drug utilization trends, prescription patterns by ward, routes of administration, and prescription frequencies by drug classes, focusing on antimicrobials and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were evaluated.ResultsThe mean duration of hospitalization was 3.12 ± 5.49 days. The newborn ward accounted for 15.7% of total prescriptions and had the highest proportion of antimicrobial prescription of 24.3%. In the neonatal intensive care unit, patients received an average of 41.3 medications. Overall, 4009 (28.8%) were prescribed at least one nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Injectable formulations accounted for 71.3% of all prescribed medications, which is markedly higher than World Health Organization recommendations. Frequent use of antimicrobials, nutritional agents, cardiovascular drugs, and analgesics was observed, with critical care wards showing particularly high use of injectable and antimicrobial drugs.ConclusionsThe findings indicate frequent use of injectable antimicrobials and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially in neonatal and critical care units. These data highlight the need for enhanced monitoring of rational prescription, antimicrobial stewardship, and drug utilization audits to optimize patient care.