Journal of Medicinal Plants (Dec 2011)
Study of Tehran Physician’s Intensity for Administration of Herbal Drug Based on their Prescription in the Time Period between 2007-2008 in 3 University Related Drugstores
Abstract
Background: It may be necessary to accomplish an investigation based on the extensive and deep studies about the situation and status of herbal medicines in different societies. Investigation of prescribed herbal medicines by physicians -as one of the high educated portion of the society and also as the eligible population for prescription of herbal medicines - and also evaluation of drug prescriptions considering the administration of herbal medicines can determine the situation and status of herbal medicines in health policy of a country. Objective: In this article the interest of the physicians for administration of herbal medicines, the effect of different variables such as age, sex and type of specialty of physicians, the effect of type of season and finally the effect of type of municipal district as the marker for determination of quality of life on amount of prescribed herbal medicines have been studied. Methods: This study, was accomplished in the time period between 1st Farvadin till 30th Esfand of the year 1386 in 3 university related drugstores – i.e. Taleghani, Abedini and Isar- the drug stores have been selected in the manner that different districts of the city is included in the study. Totally, 5040 drug prescriptions for all over the year have been statistically investigated. Results: The interest for prescription of herbal medicines by physicians is very low. Variables include municipal district of the city with different levels of quality of life, age of physicians, type of specialty, level of education and therapeutic category of drugs have influenced on the interest of physicians for prescription of herbal medicine but sex of physician has no significant effect on this interest. Conclusion: Totally, there is a low interest for prescription of herbal medicines by physicians.
