Opinions of Doctors on the Implementation of Rational Drug Use Policy: A Case Study of a Province in Northeastern Region

Abstract

Objective: To study the opinions of physicians on the implementation of rational drug use policy. Method: This research was a qualitative study collecting the data by in-depth interviews with 11 key informants who worked in a province in the northeast. Nine key informants worked in the hospital, 2 others were executives who involved in the implementation of rational drug use policy. The study collected data from April to June 2018. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis. Results: The key informants viewed that rational drug use policy had resulted in a cultural change of drug prescribing. Doctors had ordered medication more consistent to treatment guidelines. The policy that key informants regarded as being able to follow without problems was drug prescribing according to national or international treatment. The key informants viewed policy on rational use of antibiotics as difficult to follow, due to limitations arising from the context of the area, beliefs about antibiotics among public, and concerns of doctors on treatment outcomes without antibiotics, and the chance of being sued in case of mistakes. The study found that key informants remained confident on the superiority in effectiveness of original drugs over generic drugs, and treatment with drugs in the essential drug list was a limitation that reduced the treatment options of doctors. Conclusion: The success of the rational drug use policy depends on many important factors, especially awareness raising in doctors and patients on rational drug use, and strengthening confidence in the efficacy of generic drugs and drugs in the essential drug list.