Assessment of drug utilization patterns in paediatric patients in comparison with WHO core indicators

Drugs utilization should be rational in specialized population, especially in pediatrics because, the physiology of pediatrics patients differs from adult population such that the special care is required while prescribing drugs to the pediatric patients. Hence the current study was under taken to study the prescribing pattern of drugs in pediatric patients using WHO core indicators, which includes Prescription audit, length of hospitalization, cost of drugs per prescription and pharmaceutical care in pediatric population. A prospective and observational study was conducted in a pediatric department of teritiary care hospital over a period of 6 months. A study sample size was 161 patients, who met the criteria and data were extracted appropriately and analyzed.   Out of 161 patients, males were 85 and females were 76 and majority was found between in the age group of 0-4 years. Majority of prescriptions containing 5-6 drugs per prescription. Parenteral route of drug administration were the most common route of drug administration. The commonly prescribed classes of drugs were Anti-Infective agents.  The average cost of per prescription was INR. 1179.7 during hospital stay.  The length of hospitalization was 4-5 days in 47.2% of admitted patients. Pharmaceutical care interventions were performed on necessary basis and it was accepted and made necessary changes. In the present study most of prescribing pattern was comparable to WHO core indicators which influences the rationality of prescribing pattern in pediatric population which improves the patient’s quality of life, reduces length of hospital stay and socioeconomic burden.