Abstract
Background: Paediatric prescription is a major concern in terms of public health since infections are the most frequent cause of childhood disease. The aim of this hospital-based observational prospective study was to assess the pattern of drug use in the paediatric outpatient department attached to government medical college, Amritsar. 
 Methods: A prospective study of six months duration was carried out for the month of October 2020 to March 2021. A total number of 201 patients case sheets were utilized for our study from paediatric out-patients department of GNDH, Amritsar. The data collected was then analysed for various prescribing indicators as laid down by world health organisation (WHO) for analysis of drug use parameters.
 Results: The average number of drugs per encounter was 2.52. In present study antibiotic were 18% of total drugs prescribed. Antihistaminics prescribed were 25%. Syrup was the most prescribed dosage form. %age of drugs prescribed from essential drugs list was 60.3%. Polypharmacy was evident from the study.
 Conclusions: Drug prescribing in children is relatively high in GNDH, Amritsar. This study revealed deviation in prescribing pattern from WHO core prescribing indicators. Possible reasons are heavy patient load, lack of essential drug list, insufficient government supply of generic drugs and lack of regular prescription audits.
 Keywords: prescription pattern, observational study, Paediatric, WHO core prescribing indicators.
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