Rational Therapeutics

Abstract

Rational therapeutics implies using the right quality assured, effective and safe drug for the patient at the right time in the right dose and manner of administration, at affordable cost and with right information and education of the patient. A prescription has to be tailor-made for an individual patient. It should take into account the diagnosis, age, sex, weight, drug and food interactions, past history of drug actions/reactions, state of vital functions as well as socio-economic conditions, beliefs and background of the individual patient. ¹

A physician should provide full information to the patient about the action of a drug, what effect is desired to be achieved, side effects, toxicity, duration of therapy etc. He should educate and motivate the patient. This involves practicing the golden principle of clinical medicine i.e. taking a detailed clinical history covering every aspect and a thorough, efficient clinical examination so that a correct diagnosis is clinched or the differential diagnosis narrowed down to a few conditions, so that a minimum number of drugs are used and least number of cost-effective investigations are employed. This is the crux of good scientific practice and qualities of a good clinician. ^2,3