Background: Rational drug use is one of the essential elements of the health care system. In the environment where safe and effective use of drugs does not exist, it could be difficult to imagine a healthy nation. Irrationality in medication use can cause multiple physical, psychological, economic and social effects both at individual and social level. To this effect, the role of prescribers is of paramount importance tackle this problems. Objective: Therefore it is the objective of this study to assess aspects of prescribersâÃ?â??Ã?â?¬Ã?â??Ã?â?¢ practice and attitudes towards rational drug use in selected health facilities of Bishoftu town, Ethiopia. Method: The study was. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on selected health facilities of Bishoftu town, Ethiopia to assess drug prescribing pattern using World health organization (WHO) drug use indicators. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess attitude of prescribers on rational drug use. The data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.0 software and presented in the form of tables, graphs and charts. Results: All participants gave attention to patientsâÃ?â??Ã?â?¬Ã?â??Ã?â?¢ age, pregnancy status, chronic disease conditions and previously used medications and associated adverse effects while treating them. Majority of the prescribers, 27 (62.8%) ignored the impact that sex of the patient can have on treatment outcome. Majority of the prescribers 27 (62.8%) knew about mechanism of action, bioavailability and drug interactions (Drug-food or Drug-Drug), Indication, contraindication, and adverse effects of drugs they prescribe. Majority of prescribers 36 (84%) had drug related information sources at their facilities. Significant number 32 (74.42%) and 36 (83.72%) of the prescribers provided sufficient information to the patient about their disease and prescribed drugs respectively. Conclusion: Most prescribers are aware of the importance of rational drug use and apply it in their daily practice. The attitude of the prescribers toward RDU was also good and the influence that hindrance factors posed on prescribersâÃ?â??Ã?â?¬Ã?â??Ã?â?¢ attitude and their daily practice was found to be minimal. But the practices which deviate from WHO standard like antibiotics and injections prescription should be given attention at the facilities.
