Display options
Share it on

J Basic Clin Pharm. 2013 Jun;4(3):68-72. doi: 10.4103/0976-0105.118808.

Drug utilization pattern in an Omani pediatric population.

Journal of basic and clinical pharmacy

K A Al Balushi, F Al-Sawafi, F Al-Ghafri, I Al-Zakwani

Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khod, Oman.
  2. Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khod, Oman ; Gulf Health Research, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

PMID: 24808674 PMCID: PMC3979272 DOI: 10.4103/0976-0105.118808

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that medication errors have a higher incidence in children and infants than in adults. At present, there is limited local data that investigates the drug prescription trends in pediatric populations. This study aims at understanding drug utilization patterns in pediatric patients at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Oman.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient pediatric clinics and inpatient pediatric wards at SQUH, a tertiary care hospital attached to the Sultan Qaboos University Medical College, Oman.

RESULTS: The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.3 ± 1.5, and it was almost similar in all age groups and in both males and females. About 16% of the study group received antibiotics. Paracetamol was the most prescribed drug in the patients (13%). Respiratory system drugs were the most prescribed class of drugs (22%) and salbutamol was the most prescribed drug in this class.

CONCLUSIONS: This study will help in assessing rational usage and cost control of various medications used in the pediatric setting.

Keywords: Drugs; pediatrics; prescribing

References

  1. Eur J Pediatr. 2009 Feb;168(2):173-80 - PubMed
  2. Farm Hosp. 2012 Jul-Aug;36(4):180-6 - PubMed
  3. Singapore Med J. 2006 Apr;47(4):261-5 - PubMed
  4. BMJ. 2008 Nov 24;337:a2245 - PubMed
  5. BMJ. 2002 Jun 1;324(7349):1312-3 - PubMed
  6. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2011 May;71(5):751-7 - PubMed
  7. Swiss Med Wkly. 2012 Apr 11;142:w13564 - PubMed
  8. Acta Paediatr. 2011 Sep;100(9):1272-5 - PubMed
  9. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2005 Nov;14(11):813-20 - PubMed
  10. Indian Pediatr. 2009 Feb;46(2):165-7 - PubMed
  11. Pediatrics. 2012 Jul;130(1):23-31 - PubMed
  12. JAMA. 2001 Apr 25;285(16):2114-20 - PubMed
  13. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2007 Oct;16(10):1141-5 - PubMed
  14. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2009 Jun;34(3):277-87 - PubMed
  15. Eur J Public Health. 2009 Aug;19(4):434-8 - PubMed
  16. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2001 May;57(2):159-65 - PubMed

Publication Types