Table 3 Medicines prescription patterns in selected South African provinces over time
WHO prescribing indicator | Limpopo Oct–Dec 2018* | Limpopo Aug–Dec 2005** | Western Cape Aug–Dec 2005** |
|---|---|---|---|
The average number of medicines per encounter | 4.3 | 3.4 | 3.0 |
% Medicines prescribed by generic name | 43% | 41.7% | 48.6% |
% Encounters with an antibiotic prescribed | 28% | 63.4% | 72.8% |
% Encounters with an injection prescribed | 8% | 9.8% | 6.7% |
% Medicines prescribed from an essential medicines list or formulary | 90% | 93.1% | 92.0% |