Prescription writing, psychotropic drug use, and medication adherence in a tertiary care hospital in southern India: a prospective observational study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prescription writing, patterns of prescribing, and medication adherence in psychiatric outpatients at a hospital in India.

Methods: Prescriptions of patients aged ≥18 years who attended the psychiatry outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital were evaluated. Data regarding prescription writing, prescribing patterns of psychotropic medications, and medication adherence were collected using a structured form. Written prescriptions were analysed using the checklist adopted from prescription audit guidelines developed by the National Health System Resource Centre, India. Medication adherence was assessed using the self-report Medication Adherence Rating Scale.

Results: In total, 438 written prescriptions for 255 male and 183 female patients were included in the analysis. Nearly all prescriptions met the criteria in the checklist adopted from the National Health System Resource Centre. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was alcohol dependence syndrome (37.0%). Of 742 psychotropic drugs prescribed, the most common was benzodiazepines (34.5%). Of 161 patients who completed the Medication Adherence Rating Scale questionnaire, 152 (94.4%) were adherent. The mean score was 9.18.

Conclusion: Medication adherence was high among outpatients with mental illness attending a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. Rational prescription of psychotropic medications may enhance therapeutic effectiveness and minimise potential risks associated with pharmacotherapy.