Abstract
Objective: The study was carried out to generate research on drug utilization pattern in paediatric patients in government headquarters hospital, Tiruppur, Tamilnadu, India using world health organization (WHO) and international network for rational use of drugs (INRUD) core indicator.
 Methods: The core prescribing indicators of the world health organization was used to assess the appropriate use of drugs. Index of rational drug prescribing (IRDP) developed by Zhang and Zhi was also used to find out the performance of a health care system in terms of drug utilization.
 Results: Out of 859 drugs in 200 cases the highest prescribed drug class is antibiotics 304(35.39%) and the majority of drugs were administered in injectable form 412(47.94%). It was analysed that a majority of prescriptions 117(58.5%) were discharged in between 4-7 d. 161(80.5%) patients were dismissed after completion of treatment. On analysing world health organization (WHO) prescribing core indicators, the average number of drugs per prescription was 4.29 which is higher than double the average number (i.e., 2). This indicates poly-pharmacy practice. 97.78% of drugs were prescribed were the generic name and percentage of encounters with antibiotic prescribed was 90.5% which is thrice greater than world health organization (WHO) standard<30%. Prescribing of injections is not within the world health organization (WHO) recommended range<20% and it was far higher showing 97.5% which is essential for paediatric inpatients. The prescribing practice in paediatric ward is in complete adherence to national essential drug list (EDL) or formulary. The mean value of the index of rational drug prescribing (IRDP) obtained was 3.09 which is very similar to that of optimal value world health organization (WHO).
 Conclusion: Prescription by generic name, prescribing drugs from essential drug list (EDL) and free government supply are encouraging findings in this hospital. The result shows poly-pharmacy and overuse of antibiotics are the areas to be concerned. The better clinical outcome shows rational prescribing is practised well.
Highlights
World Health Organization (WHO) defined drug utilization research as ‘studies on the marketing, distribution, prescription and the use of drugs in a society, with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social and economic consequences [1, 2]
The majority of paediatric patients were taken to the hospital due to fever and it was 54 (27%)
Paediatric patients admitted with poisoning cases were 14 (7%) and with genetic disorder is 1 (0.5%)
Summary
World Health Organization (WHO) defined drug utilization research as ‘studies on the marketing, distribution, prescription and the use of drugs in a society, with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social and economic consequences [1, 2]. Drug utilization studies are important in order to evaluate the appropriate and judicious use of drug therapy [3]. Appropriate drug utilization studies are properly utilized to evaluate the efficacy, safety, convenience and economic aspects at all levels in the chain of drug use. Various drug utilization reviews have been conducted all over the world but only limited studies are conducted addressing the drug use pattern in paediatric population especially in India [4]. Infants and children are the most vulnerable population groups. Drug use in paediatric is not extensively researched and the dosage form of licensed drugs is limited [7]
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