OBJECTIVES: Critically and moderately ill patients depend predominantly on parenteral preparations for their medication need. Regular audit of the utilization pattern of these preparations is essential in ensuring availability and sustainability of supply. This study assessed the utilization of parenteral preparations in a tertiary health facility to generate date for policy and planning.

METHODS: The study was a cross sectional assessment of systematically selected prescriptions containing parenteral preparations prescribed between January and December, 2017. The study lasted from March to August 2018. Only eligible prescriptions containing parenteral preparations were used. A pilot tested and structured data collection sheet was used to extract the data. Data was cleansed, and summarized using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and frequency. Most of the patients were males 43 (54.4%).

RESULTS: Overall, 79 prescriptions were obtained. Patients age 36 (45.6%) were between 21 -40 years with an average age of 29.0 ± 5.8 years while 15 (19.0%) had an average age of 48.7 ± 5.1 years were between 41 – 60 years. A total of 242 (100.0%) drugs were prescribed to various patients, including anti-microbial drugs 129 (53.3%) and infusions 57 (23.6%) were the most commonly prescribed. Metronidazole infusion were the most prescribed parenteral preparation 31.0 (39.2%) followed by normal saline 26.0 (39.2%). Most medications prescribed lasted for 1 day 76 (51.7%) followed by 5 days, 26 (17.7%), 3 days 20 (13.6%), 2 days, 16 (10.0%) and 7days 9 (6.1%). Diagnosed ailments treated include; gastrointestinal disorders 19.0 (24.1%), bruise/injury/burn/bleeding/wounds/bit 11.0 (13.9%), malaria 9.0 (11.4%), Septicaemia 6.0 (7.6%).

CONCLUSIONS:Parenteral preparations are the second most utilized preparation after anti-microbial agents. Metronidazole infusion was the most prescribes infusion used individually and in combination with other medications. It underscored the need for infusions and antibiotics stewardship in our hospitals in making better parenteral preparations decision.