Abstract: Objective To study the measures to reduce the prescribed drugs retuned from outpatients and promote the rational use of drugs by analyzing its reasons. Methods Four hundred prescriptions returned to the pharmacy by outpatients in January-June 2011 were included in this study.The incidence of prescribed drugs returned from outpatients,departments that returned prescribed drugs,types of prescribed drugs returned from outpatients,and reasons why prescribed drugs were returned were analyzed. Results The main reasons for outpatients to return their prescribed were adverse reaction(32.75%),changes in their condition(28.50%),requirement of patients(18.75%),and improperly prescribed drugs(8.00%). Conclusion The incidence of prescribed drugs returned from outpatients can be effectively reduced by strengthening the communication between doctors and patients,improving the ability of doctors to make adjustment of prescriptions,and promoting rational use of drugs.