Objective To analyze the rational use of outpatient prescriptions in skin disease prevention and control institute from 2021 to 2023. Methods A total of 12 000 prescriptions from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected from the outpatient department of Yixing Skin Disease Prevention and Control Institute. The reasonable rate of prescription drugs, the types of prescription drugs, the amount of prescription drugs, and the proportion of antibacterial drugs were counted, and the unreasonable categories of prescription were analyzed. Results From 2021 to 2023, the reasonable rate of drug prescription in skin disease clinic was 58.14%, 82.64% and 95.77% respectively, and the reasonable rate of prescription was gradually increasing. In 2023, the average types of outpatient prescriptions, the average cost of each prescription and the proportion of antibiotics were better than those in 2021 and 2022 (P <0.05). From 2021 to 2023, the unreasonable category of prescription issuance was mainly based on the long course of treatment. The number of unreasonable prescriptions in 2023 was lower than that in 2021 and 2022 (P <0.05). Conclusion Drug prescriptions of skin disease clinic are not suitable for medication. It is necessary to strengthen the management of drug application in clinical practice, so as to increase the rationality and scientificity of doctors' prescription.