Irrational use of drugs could be detrimental issues in the practices of healthcare communities. This problem arises either because of the wrong prescription or inappropriate self-medication. Faulty prescribing practices and incorrect self-medication will lead to an ineffective treatment regime. Still, they can also be unsafe as these may exacerbate or prolong the illness and distress the patients. In turn, these will incur unnecessary treatment costs. The most typical issues in the irrational use of drugs are the patient’s lack of information about the medicine and inadequate proper consultation from physicians. Lack of regulation in the appropriate use and supply of drugs by the relevant enforcement agencies could also be the problem in the irrational use of drugs. Ulceration and inflammation due to the irrational use of NSAIDs, antibiotics, and unhealthy lifestyle may contribute to the novel therapeutic strategy challenges. The ability to purchase the drugs without a doctor’s prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was also the landmark event that became the most widely used medications for the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. Inadequate knowledge from both drug providers and patients may contribute to the most recognized influential factors in the irrational use of drugs in various countries. The recommendation should introduce an appropriate educational intervention that can be designed to promote rational prescribing. Proper regulation on prescription practices by policymakers and physicians could be the way to ensure the standard of rational usage of drugs have compliant with the healthcare communities.

The main objective of this study was to obtain information regarding the effects of educational and socio-economic status of the patients on the prescribing pattern of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by the qualified medical personnel in the outpatient departments (OPDs) of two selected polyclinics in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 200 selected patients (100 from each polyclinic) attending the OPDs were interviewed using a questionnaire. Again data were collected, photocopied and later analyzed. Educated and higher income group of patients mostly attended in a Private Polyclinic (PPC) whereas less educated and lower income group of patients generally attended UMS Polyclinic (UPC). This was reported as a probable reason for the wide variations in the prescribing pattern with respect to pharmacological sub-classes of NSAIDs in the OPDs of two polyclinics. The present results strongly support that probable reason. The number of patients taking NSAIDs before coming to hospital was more in PPC compared to UPC. They were influenced by pharmacists, friends and doctor’s advice given previously. In conclusion, it may be mentioned that overall prescribing pattern of NSAIDs among two polyclinics is rational.

Background: As in other parts of the world, the practice of traditional healing has been part of the local healthcare system for most of the indigenous ethnic groups, since time immemorial. Using descriptive research format, this study looked into the practice of a traditional medicine practitioner in one of the villages of Kota Marudu in Sabah, Malaysia. The practitioner comes from the Dusun Tagahas subethnic group which is one of the numerous ethnic groups in Sabah. The large number of ethnic group in Sabah has made the research of ethnomedicine rather challenging. The practitioner acquired knowledge of traditional healing and treatment which is mainly herbal medicines alluded with some spiritual aspects. He used many herbal preparations in various forms and applications. Similar to the other traditional medicine practitioners, his knowledge and skill regarding his practice are impressive but the practitioner is unable to explain on the mechanism of how the therapy works. Generally their philosophy rests on the notion that disease responds to right medicine but not explanation. There is an urgent need to capture all the knowledge and skill possessed by traditional medicine practitioners, who generally belong to an ageing and fading population, especially those live in remote and hard to reach areas. Scientific research should be conducted to help traditional medicine healers and herbalists to understand their practices before they suffer the consequences of inexorable extinction.