Table 3 Frequency of three types of irrational prescription of sample antibiotic prescriptions, 2015–2018

1

Irregular prescription

n = 153

1–1

The physician didn’t prescribe antibiotics follow the Regulations on the Clinical Application of Antibiotics.

98

1–2

Prescribing without clinical diagnosis or with incomplete clinical diagnosis.

33

1–3

Elements were missing in the prescriptions, non-standard or illegible writing

14

1–4

The dosage, specifications, quantity, unit, etc. of the drugs were not standardized or unclear.

3

1–5

The expression of dosage or usage was ambiguous, such as “follow the doctor’s advice”, “self-medicated”, etc.

2

1–6

The physician didn’t follow the related guidelines when prescribing narcotic, psychotropic, medical toxic, radioactive drugs, etc.

2

1–7

No reason stated for dosage over 7 days for outpatient, over 3 days for emergency, and extension for chronic diseases and geriatric disease

1

2

Inappropriate prescription

n = 880

2–1

Inappropriate usage and dosage

571

2–2

Inappropriate indication

144

2–3

Inappropriate dosage form or route of administration

16

2–4

Inappropriate selection of drugs

63

2–5

Inappropriate combined use of drugs

39

2–6

Incompatibility or adverse interaction

25

2–7

Other inappropriate situation

16

2–8

Repeated administration

5

2–9

National essential medicines were not preferred without appropriate reason.

1

3

Abnormal prescription

n = 16

3–1

Prescribing without indication

15

3–2

Prescribing high-priced drugs without appropriate reason.

1

3–3

Off-label drug use without appropriate reason.

0