Chakrabarti, Amit2007-10-172009-05-282007-10-172009-05-282007-10-17Chakrabarti A. Prescription of fixed dose combination drugs for diarrhoea. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics. 2007 Oct-Dec; 4(4): 165-7http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/53420Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) of an antiprotozoal and an antibacterial, for treatment of diarrhoea, have been available in the Indian pharmaceutical market for about a decade. There is little evidence to substantiate this combination therapy. We evaluated 2,163 physician prescriptions for diarrhoea and found that 59 per cent of prescriptions were for FDCs. This is unethical because prescribing such combinations exposes a patient to higher risks of adverse drug reactions and also increases the chances of drug resistance. Physicians' prescribing practices in India are influenced by socioeconomic factors and the pharmaceutical industry's marketing techniques that include giving incentives to physicians to prescribe certain drugs.engAnti-Bacterial Agents --economicsAntiprotozoal Agents --economicsCiprofloxacin --therapeutic useDiarrhea --drug therapyDrug CostsDrug IndustryDrug Prescriptions --statistics & numerical dataDrug Therapy, CombinationDrug Utilization ReviewHumansIndiaMarketing of Health ServicesMedical AuditMetronidazole --analogs & derivativesNorfloxacin --therapeutic usePatient Selection --ethicsPhysician's Practice Patterns --ethicsSocioeconomic FactorsTinidazole --therapeutic usePrescription of fixed dose combination drugs for diarrhoea.Journal Article