We prospectively studied current drug use in Jordan in 21 primary health care facilities in northern Jordan over a three-month period, using World Health Organization-recommended indicators. Both the mean time spent on physician-patient consultations (3.9 +/- 3.5 minutes) and mean pharmacy dispensing time (28.8 +/- 23.7 seconds) were short, resulting in a mean patient knowledge of prescribed drug dose of 77.7%. No centre had an essential drugs list and/or formulary available. An average of 80% of key drugs were available at centres. Baseline data gathered by this study can be used by researchers and policymakers to monitor and improve pharmaceutical prescribing and consumption practices in Jordan.