How important is the role of the physician in the correct use of a drug? An observational cohort study in general practice.

The correct use of a drug is determined by several important factors. The most significant of these is a correct diagnosis for the choice of the appropriate therapeutic approach, followed by the physician's awareness of each drug's product characteristics--such as indications, contraindications and warnings--and by a careful evaluation of the patient in order to consider possible risk factors, concomitant pathologies and treatments. An adequate knowledge of pharmacological therapy and of the patient's history and disease states could in fact prevent most of the adverse drug reactions attributable to an inappropriate prescription.