156PRESCRIBING PATTERNS OF ANTIBIOTICS IN OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF TERTIARY HEALTHCARE AND TEACHING HOSPITALAntibiotics are most commonly encountered in prescriptions and overuse of antibiotics is an important factor for the development of resistance to many microorganisms. Widespread irrational usage of antibiotics, shortage of antimicrobial supply in government hospitals, low purchasing capacity of patients and incidences of antimicrobial resistance complicate the outcome of therapies. The present study was undertaken to screen prescriptions for rational use of antibiotics in Out Patient Department (OPD) of Tertiary Healthcare & Teaching hospital. 200 prescriptions from various departments were collected randomly over 2 months and analyzed. Out of 200 prescriptions, age wise distribution is 13 %(< 12yrs), 74.5% (13-60yrs), 12.5 %(> 60 yrs.). The total number of drugs were 691 in 200 prescriptions. The number of antibiotics was 122. i.e. 3.4 drugs and 0.61 antibiotics per prescription. Most common prescriptions were related to respiratory tract diseases (27%). The most common antibiotics prescribed were from Beta lactams group (34%). NSAIDS (63%) & Antacids (60%) were most commonly co administered drugs. Most of the prescriptions with antibiotic usage were appropriate in terms of strength (100%), dose (99.04%), form (100%), frequency (100%) and duration (97.92%). The study showed the baseline data regarding the current prescribing trend of Antibiotics in Tertiary Healthcare & Teaching hospital. About 98% of the antibiotics were rationally used.drvishal9@gmail.comResearch632016Antibiotics,Prescription pattern, Irrational useRajesh S Hiray,Vishal V Ghorpade,Chetanraj G Bhamare,Balasaheb B GhonganeAssociate Professor, Dept. Of Pharmacology, B.J. Govt. Medical College, Pune, India.,Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Pharmacology, B.J. Govt. Medical College, Pune, India.,Ex-Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Pharmacology, B.J. Govt. Medical College, Pune, India,Professor and Head, Dept. Of Pharmacology, B.J. Govt. Medical College, Pune, India.