PRINCIPLES OF RATIONAL ANTIBIOTIC USE

* Microorganisms-suspected etiologic agent and patterns of local antimicrobial susceptibility

* Host factors-age, pregnancy, concomitant disease (s), host defense mechanism

* Site of infection, severity of infection

* Drug factors and previous antibiotics, etc.

* Appropriate specimens for Gram staining,

 culture and sensitivity test

should be taken prior to antibiotic treatment

Prevention of irrational prescribing

*To prevent irrational prescribing the following measures should be taken- a) making correct diagnosis; b) limiting the number of drugs; c) encouraging the availability of essential drugs; d) providing adequate training, drug information and Standard treatment guideline (STG) to the prescribers through continuing education, incorporating the concept of essential drugs; e) teaching of rational prescribing into the curricula of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry and nursing; and f) finally providing effective public education of the consumers and on public.