Abstract
To evaluate drug utilization studies in the pediatric outpatients at outpatient clinics in urban Telangana state. A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of four months from outpatient clinics in 250 pediatric outpatients. There was 30 % of patients were less than one year age. 36 % of the patients came to clinic with common cold and fever. Most of the prescriptions contain a maximum number of antimicrobials drugs. Around 43% of antibiotic prescribed were beta-lactams. Among the various route of administration oral route was prescribed ample of times. Only 8.8% of drugs prescribed by generic name. Whereas 24.78% of drugs prescribed from National Essential drug list (NEDL) / National Formularies of India (NFI). Our study highlighted some rational prescribing practices including the very low rate of prescription of injections. Drug utilization studies are powerful exploratory tools to ascertain the role of drugs in society to create sound socio-medical, health economic basis for health care decision making and also the development and implementation of drug usage protocols in pediatric units may be useful to minimize risks. Very few studies provide information on drug use patterns in children. One of the reasons for poor prescribing by generic name is the non-availability of the pediatric formulations in the pharmacy. Hence, clinicians often prefer to prescribe by brand names and they are familiar with brand names and patients also, will find it easier to procure.
