主催: The Japanese Pharmacological Society, The Japanese Society of Clinical Pharmacology
会議名: WCP2018 (18th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology)
開催地: Kyoto
開催日: 2018/07/01 - 2018/07/06
Background: In resource limited settings, lack of appropriate formulations makes dosing of oral medications less precise and less safe in children. This study aims to determine the extent of inappropriate dose and dosage forms of oral medications prescribed to children.
Methods: This is a part of an ongoing large scale study on rational use of oral dosage forms (ODF) of medicines in children in a Sri Lankan Teaching Hospital. 600 ODF of medicines prescribed for children younger than 12 years in ward, clinic and outpatient setting over a period of 4 months was reviewed by the researcher using validated prescribing indicators. Required data were extracted from the prescriptions or bed head ticket using a structured pre-tested observation sheet. Standard formularies were used to determine the weight appropriate dose and age appropriate dosage form. Descriptive statistics were used in analysing the data.
Results: Of the 721 medicines prescribed for 249 children, 600 [83%, 95% CI: 82-86] were ODF with an average of 2.4 [range 1-7, SD =1.08]. Inappropriate dosing was observed in 47% [95% CI: 43-51] with under and over dosing accounting for 52% and 48% respectively. Age inappropriate ODFs was observed in 9% [95% CI: 6.7-11.2] where tablets were prescribed to children < 2 years: Majority were for vitamins. Of the 222 solid ODFs, almost one-third required manipulation of adult strengths. Majority were for vitamins and antiepileptics.
Conclusion: Prescribing inappropriate dose is more prevalent than inappropriate dosage forms. Underlying reasons and outcomes of these inappropriate prescribing needs to be investigated further.
