A bibliometric study of publication patterns in rational use of medicines in Iran

Main Article Content

Sarah Mousavi
Ava Mansouri
Alireza Ahmadvand

Keywords

Drug Utilization, Bibliometrics, Iran

Abstract

Background: Inappropriate use of drugs is commonly observed in health care system throughout the world especially in developing countries. The consequences of irrational use of drugs are enormous for patients and communities. Proper interventions would have important financial and public health benefits. Several studies have been performed about rational use of drugs in Iran.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess scientific output on rational use of drugs in Iran using a bibliometric analysis of publications.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted for finding all papers (English and Persian) using Pubmed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Proquest, International Pharmaceutical Abstract and Persian databases including SID, Iran Medex and MagIran. Retrieved articles were categorized by research topics and year of publication. Impact Factor of the journals, citation analysis of first authors, most cited topics and average citations per item were analyzed.

Results: A total of 668 articles were retrieved from all search engines after excluding irrelevant, 466 articles were included in the review. Number of publications increased dramatically after 2001(more than 10 times). Evaluation of prescribing pattern (15%), self-medication (11.3%) and adverse drug reaction (9.1%) were among the most studied topics. From the total of 165 journals, 60 of them had Impact factors and 125 articles were published in these journals. Antimicrobial resistance and adverse drug reaction were the most cited topic.

Conclusion: Publication of articles on rational use of drugs research in Iran has undergone an important increase during last decade. Further analysis of research outputs is necessary to achieve rational use of medicines goal.

Abstract 4200 | PDF Downloads 1376

References

1. Laing R, Waning B, Gray A, Ford N, 't Hoen E. 25 years of the WHO essential medicines lists: progress and challenges. Lancet. 2003;361(9370):1723-9.

2. Promoting rational use of medicines: Core components: WHO policy perspectives on medicines, Number 5. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2002.

3. Otoom SA, Sequeira RP. Health care providers' perceptions of the problems and causes of irrational use of drugs in two Middle East countries. Int J Clin Pract. 2006;60(5):565-70.

4. Laing R, Hogerzeil H, Ross-Degnan D. Ten recommendations to improve use of medicines in developing countries. Health Policy Plan. 2001;16(1):13-20.

5. Kermer M. Pharmaceuticals and developing countries. J Econ Perspect. 2002;16(4):67-90.

6. Progress in the rational use of medicines. World Health Assembly resolution WHA 60.16. Geneva. World Health Organization, 2007.

7. Hardon AP, le Grand A. Pharmaceuticals in communities. Practices, public health consequences and intervention strategies. Bulletin 330. Royal Tropical Institute, The Netherlands, 1993.

8. Dinarvand R. New National Drug policy in Iran leading to expanded pharmaceutical market and extended access of public to medicines. Iranian J Publ Health 2009; 38(1):158-61.

9. Cheraghali AM, Nikfar S, Behmanesh Y, Rahimi V, Habibipour F, Tirdad R, Asadi A, Bahrami A. Evaluation of availability, accessibility and prescribing pattern of medicines in the Islamic Republic of Iran. East Mediterr Health J. 2004;10(3):406-15.

10. Soleymani F, Valadkhani M, Dinarvand R. Challenges and achievements of promoting rational use of drugs in Iran. Iranian J Publ Health 2009; 38(1):166-8.

11. Abdollahiasl A, kebriaeezadeh A, Nikfar S, Farshchi A, Abdollahi M. Patterns of antibiotic consumption in Iran during 2000-2009. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2011;37(5):489-90. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2011.01.022.

12. Mesgarpour B, Etemadi A, Fotouhi A, Kebriaeezadeh A, Younesian M. The Trend of Pharmaceutical Research in Iran Compared to Middle East and North Africa: A Scientometrics Study. Health Inf Manag 2009;6(2):151.

13. ISI Web of Knowledge.Journal Citation Reports. Available at: http://www. http://diglib.tums.ac.ir/. (Accessed 14-07-2012).

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >>