Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 17(2), 2012; nᵒ 07, 42-45 ISSN 0976 – 044X International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Page 42 Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net Dr D. Sharad Gedam 1 * , Dr Umesh Patel 2 , Mrs Mamta Verma 3 , Dr Sanjay Gedam 4 , Dr. Ashutosh Chourishi 4 1. MBBS, MD, Associate Professor in Pediatrics, L. N. Medical College, Bhopal, India. 2. MBBS, MD, Assistant Professor in Pediatrics, L. N. Medical College, Bhopal, India. 3. Principal, L. N. Nursing College, Bhopal, India. 4. Dept. of Pharmacology, R. D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India. * Corresponding author’s E-mail: sharad_gedam@rediffmail.com Accepted on: 11-10-2012; Finalized on: 30-11-2012. ABSTRACT Children are more vulnerable to various adverse events related to drugs and poor understanding of instructions on prescription by the patient or caretakers were likely to cause medication error and less effective treatment. Drug prescribing is a skill that needs to be refined on a continuing basis. It reflects physician's skills and attitude toward diagnosis of an ailment and selection of appropriate treatment. In view of this, it is important to do study the pattern of prescribing in paediatric patients on continuous basis. The aim of this study was to analyze the prescribing pattern in a paediatric outpatient setting. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of four months. A total of 645 prescriptions were collected and analysed. Average number of drugs per prescription was 1.69. Most common reason for Out Patient Department visit was Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (50.07 %) followed by Acute Gastroenteritis (20.94 %). Most frequently prescribed drug classes were Antipyeretics (44.18 %) followed by Antibiotics (37.2 %) & Antihistaminics (29 %). Most frequently prescribed antibiotics was ofloxacin & metronidazole combination (25 %) followed by cefpodoxime (22.83 %). Mostly drug prescribed orally (99.32 %). Most common drug formulation was syrup (62.19 %) followed by drops (13.87 %). From this study feedback information can be provided to the prescribers & authorities of the institute to improve the prescription patterns. Keywords: Prescription pattern, paediatrics, Out-patients. INTRODUCTION Paediatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the development, diseases and disorders of children¹. Drug therapy is considered to be major component of paediatric management in health care setting like hospital. Effective medical treatment of a paediatric patient is based upon an accurate diagnosis and optimum course of therapy, which usually involves a medication regimen. Infants and children are among the most vulnerable population groups to contact illnesses. At the same time Infancy and childhood is a period of rapid growth and development. Most of these are self-limiting² and are often treated not only inappropriately, but also resorting to polypharmacy 3, 4 . The use of antimicrobial agents, especially antibiotics has become a routine practice for the treatment of paediatric illnesses 4, ⁵. However, there are also reports of an irrational use of antibiotics 6, ⁷ which may even lead to infections that are worse than the originally diagnosed ones. The assessment of drug utilisation is important for clinical, educational and economic reasons ⁸. There is enough evidence to demonstrate that prescribing of drugs has shifted from generics to branded and prescribing out of NLEM⁹¹¹. The rational prescribing can be assessed with the help of conducting prescription audit on continuous basis. Data about drug usage patterns in India are particularly lacking. Keeping these facts in consideration the present study has been planned to define the pattern of drug use in the paediatric out-patient department. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the drug prescription patterns in patients attending the paediatric out-patient department and to generate data on the extent of rational/ irrational prescribing in this institute. Feedback from the study would help both the prescriber and institutional authorities to review their prescribing practices and modify if necessary to facilitate better health care delivery. MATERIALSAND METHODS A prospective study was carried out over four months (April to June 2012) in the Pediatric out-patient department attached to the L. N. Medical College and affiliated J. K. Hospital, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. After obtaining requisite permission, prescriptions were copied using digital camera on random basis to minimize bias. A total of 645 prescriptions were collected. The information such as case ID, age, sex, weight, date of consultation, diagnosis, antimicrobial drugs (AMD) and all other drug prescribed and their doses, doses form and route of administration, total duration of AMD and other drugs received was recorded and analysed. The following parameters were used to measure rationality of prescription: DRUG PRESCRIPTION PATTERN IN PEDIATRICOUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT IN A TEACHING HOSPITALIN CENTRALINDIA Research Article