Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON MEDICATION PRESCRIBING PATTERN FOR PAEDIATRICS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

G. Sireesha, Joh Clinton Thomas, Pradnya B. Patil*, H. Doddayya

ABSTRACT

The present study was done to analyze drug utilization among Paediatric inpatients and to assess WHO prescribing indicators. A prospective, observational study was conducted in Department of Paediatrics at Navodaya Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Raichur over a period of 6 months (May 2015 to October 2015). Data was collected from case records of inpatients and analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 250 inpatients aged 1-12 years were analyzed, which included 148 males and 102 females. Duration of hospitalization was 3-6 days. Respiratory diseases were accounted for 25.6%, followed by gastrointestinal disorders (18.4%). A total of 1023 drugs were prescribed. Most commonly prescribed drug classes were antimicrobial agents, drugs acting on respiratory system and NSAIDs. Cephalosporin‟s were most commonly prescribed antibiotics, followed by penicillin‟s and aminoglycosides. Salbutamol aerosol was most commonly used bronchodilator followed by inhaled salbutamol +ipratropium. Paracetamol was most extensively prescribed NSAID followed by Diclofenac (4.7%). 45.3% of drugs were injectables (IV), 48.2% oral and 6.4% inhalational. Average number of drugs per encounter=4.0; Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name=45%; Percentage of encounters with an antibiotic prescribed=33%; Percentage of encounters with an injection prescribed=30.6%; Percentage of drugs prescribed from EML=94.6%. Drugs prescribed by brand names instead of generic name a matter of concern. There is a need to pay special attention by doctors and clinical pharmacists to work together and establish a rational and practical prescribing protocol for common clinical conditions and application of essential drug (medicines) concept(s).

Keywords: Drug use pattern, Paediatric, WHO prescribing indicators, Rational drug use.