Abstract

THE STUDY OF DRUG USAGE PATTERNS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT MGM HOSPITAL, NAVI MUMBAI

Rajesh Kumar Suman, N.C Mohanty, Ipseeta Ray Mohanty, Y. A Deshmukh

Abstract

Objective: The present study evaluated the pattern of Drug usage in Pediatrics department at a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai. Method: Questionnaires was specifically designed factoring patients’ demographical profile, illness history, prescription regimen. Result: A total 302 prescriptions (78% OPD and 22% IPD) of children attending Pediatric department were analyzed. Maximum children were of the age group between 0 – 1 yr (40%) followed by 1-2 yr (27%). Of total 302 patients, drugs were mainly indicated for fever (44%), acute diarrhea (42 %), malaria (8%), other disease like, seizure, thrombocytopenia etc (6%). A total of 814 drugs were prescribed in the 302 prescriptions studied. Average number of drugs per prescription was 2.7. Most commonly encountered drugs were antipyretic: paracetamol syp (44%), Nasal decongestant: phenylephrine (44%), Zinc (42%), Oral rehydration solution (40%), Vitamin (40%), antihistaminic: Levocetrizine (20%) and antibiotics (32%). Most widely prescribed antibiotic group was Cephalosporin. Among IPD patients mainly Inj Ceftriaxone was used while in OPD patients, oral Cefixime was used. 23% of the drugs were prescribed by parenteral route. Except ORS, all the drugs were prescribed by brand names. Other medication prescribed were Domperidone, Ondansetron, Diazapam, Chloroquine etc. Conclusion: Good prescribing practices adhering to standard WHO prescribing guidelines were followed. However, prescription of drugs by brand names instead of the recommended generic names is a matter of concern.

Keywords: Drug use patterns, Pediatrics, Rational prescribing, Subject area: Medical research.