Table 5

Structural and process indicators of drug information, continuing education on drug use, and rational use of drugs in Iran in 2002

Is there a national publication (formulary/bulletin/manual, etc.), revised within the past five years, providing objective information on drug use?

+

Is there a national therapeutic guide with standardized treatments?

+

Is the concept of essential drugs part of the curricula in the basic training of health personnel?

-

Is there an official continuing education system on rational use of drugs for prescribers and dispensers?

+

Is there a drug information unit/centre?

+

Does the drug information unit/centre (or another independent body) provide regular information on drugs to prescribers and dispensers?

+

Are there therapeutic committees in the major hospitals?

-

Are there public education campaigns on drug use?

+

Is drug education included in the primary/secondary school curricula?

+

Number of prescribers having direct access to a (national) drug formulary, out of total number of prescribers surveyed.

7.6% (7034/92548)

Number of training sessions on drug use for prescribers in the last year, out of average number of training sessions organized in the past three years.

13% (120/924)

Number of prescribers who have attended at least one training session in the last year, out of total number of prescribers surveyed.

50% (15203/32524)

Number of issues of independent drug bulletins published in the last year, out of average number of issues of independent drug bulletins published per year in the past three years.

0% (0/13)

Average number of copies of independent drug bulletins sent to prescribers, out of total number of prescribers.

6.9% (6386/92548)

Amount spent on public education campaigns on drug use, out of total amount spent on public health education campaigns.

0% (0/300000 $US)

Average retail price of standard treatment of pneumonia, out of the average retail price of a basket of food.

21% (2.9/13.75 $US)

Average number of drugs per prescription.

3.6

Number of prescriptions with at least one injection, out of the total number of prescriptions surveyed.

47.4% (692530/1461033)

Number of children under five with diarrhea receiving antidiarrheal drugs, out of the total number of children under five with diarrhea surveyed.

19% (266/1400)

Nikfar et al. BMC International Health and Human Rights 2005 5:5   doi:10.1186/1472-698X-5-5