The Drug Prescription Patterns and Utilization after Family Physician Program Implementation in Rural Health Centers of Isfahan District, Iran

Health sector reform as «Family Physician» (FP) program has been introduced in 2004 in rural and lower than 20 thousands population cities of Iran. This study aimed to reveal the utilization rate of general practice visit and prescription pattern in the rural health centers before and after the Family Physician program in rural health centers of Isfahan district.

We retrospectively assessed the number of prescriptions per year and in other mean، the average medical contacts per person، before and after implementation of Family Physician program in 2004 and 2011 in a cross-sectional study during the year 2012. In addition، we assembled the mean number of drugs per prescription and drug costs. Data were collected in 17 rural health centers of Isfahan district in the central of Iran.

The prescription numbers in 2011 was 3. 58 times more than such practiced in 2004. The prescriptions per capita were 0. 145 and 0. 64 in 2004 and 2011، respectively. The more prescriptions had done in spring and winter in both years. The mean number of drugs prescribed per encounter decreased from 4. 27 ± 0. 69 in 2004 to 4. 11±0. 56 in 2011. The per capita drug costs increased 4. 87 times in 2011 in comparison with 2004.

Following Family Physician program implementation، the prescriptions per capita were increased. In otherwise، the access to general physician (equity) improved. In addition، the mean number of drugs prescribed per encounter decreased. Thus، following Family Physician program، technical efficiency has been developed.