Abstract
Children are more vulnerable to adverse events related to use of drugs. It is therefore important to study drug use in children in order to optimize pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to compare drug utilization in paediatric outpatient departments of primary and secondary health care facilities. The patient and drug information of 600 patients was analyzed for World Health Organization (WHO) recommended prescribing indicators. The average number of drugs per prescription was significantly (p < 0.0005) lower in secondary (2.97) compared to primary (3.62) facilities, while average consultation time was shorter (p < 0.0005) in primary than secondary facilities. Percentages of drugs prescribed from Nigerian Essential Drug List (EDL, primary {89.78%}; secondary {91.79%}) and by generic name (primary {55.04%}; secondary {57.88%}) were insignificantly different between the facilities. The use of injectables was low (8.32% in primary versus 3.74% in secondary facilities) while antibiotic use was high (54.14% in primary to 60.28% in secondary facilities). Analysis of the dispensing indicators showed that the secondary facilities were significantly (p < 0.05) better than the primary facilities, even though not a single drug was adequately labeled in both the primary and secondary facilities. Prescription from EDL was found to be fair in the study area while use of injections was low. There is a need for improvement in case of medicines prescribed by generic name.
Highlights
Rational drug use has been defined as using the right drug in the right patient, for the right indication, in the right dose and dosage form, for the right duration of time
In most cases, prescribing and dispensing patterns do not always conform to these criteria. The consequences of such inappropriate use of drugs cannot be overlooked especially in children. This is because children differ greatly from adults, not merely in size and in the proportions and constituents of their bodies as
Nigeria using WHO drug use indicators and comparing the results obtained between the primary and secondary health care facilities in the state. This was a comparative, cross sectional study involving paediatric outpatient departments of twenty (8 secondary and 12 primary) public health care facilities selected by multistage sampling technique in Kano State Northwestern Nigeria
Summary
Rational drug use has been defined as using the right drug in the right patient, for the right indication, in the right dose and dosage form, for the right duration of time.The rational use of drugs seeks to avoid the frequent problems of over- and under-prescription, inappropriate prescription and the use of new, expensive drugs when effective, well tried, safe, high quality and cheaper alternatives are available (NEDP, 1993). Rational drug use has been defined as using the right drug in the right patient, for the right indication, in the right dose and dosage form, for the right duration of time. In most cases, prescribing and dispensing patterns do not always conform to these criteria. The consequences of such inappropriate use of drugs cannot be overlooked especially in children.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
