TY - JOUR A1 - Ibrahim, MTO T1 - Physicians' prescribing behaviour in two tertiary health care facilities in north-western Nigeria ­- Analysis of 518 prescriptions Y1 - 2004/10/1 JF - Sahel Medical Journal JO - Sahel Med J SP - 115 EP - 118 VL - 7 IS - 4 UR - https://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2004;volume=7;issue=4;spage=115;epage=118;aulast=Ibrahim N2 - This descriptive, cross-sectional study examined physicians' prescribing behaviour in two tertiary care facilities in North-Western Nigeria . Five hundred and eighteen prescriptions issued to patients attending out-patient s' clinics in the study facilities were examined using the WH O / I NRUD drug use indicators. The study findings showed an average of 3 .5 drugs per prescription , 55.7% generic prescribing, 51.2% antibiotic prescriptions , 40.6% injection prescrip tions and 16.4% of patient-doctor verbal communication on use of prescribed drugs . Estimation and deduction of the cost of irrationally prescribed antibiotics and injections from the average cost of prescribed drugs (232.83) resulted in a 26.7% reduction in the cost of drugs per prescription. Appropriate recommendations are made in the light of observed findings . ER -