OBJECTIVES:  Drug utilization studies help promoting rational use of drug and thereby help physicians in rational prescribing. The aim of the study was to assess drug utilization pattern in paediatric patients using WHO recommended prescribing indicators.

METHODS:  A cross sectional study was carried out in private paediatric hospital. The data were collected from prescriptions of OPD patients with age new-born to 18 years. Written informed consent was obtained from parents of paediatric patients. Patients’ demographics, diagnosis, name(s) of drugs, dose, route of administration, frequency and duration were captured. Prescriptions were analysed for WHO recommended prescribing indicators.

RESULTS:  The results are based on data collected from 300 patients; 58.6% were male and 41.4% were female. The average age of patients was 44 months.  No medicines were prescribed to 2% of the patients.

The largest set of patients was diagnosed to have URTI (21.3%) followed by allergic rhinitis (15%). The other common diagnosis were viral infection, gastritis, gastroenteritis and fever under investigation.

The average number of drugs prescribed was 2.6 (range 1-6). Less than 1 % of drugs were prescribed by the generic name. None of the prescription had injection prescribed in it. 9.8% of all outpatient encounters were prescribed one or more antibiotics. Beta lactamase inhibitor was most extensively prescribed antibiotic. 41% of the drug prescribed appeared on the national list of essential medicines 2011.

Nasal decongestants were mostly prescribed followed by nutritional supplements. 47% of drugs were prescribed as syrup. Oral administration was the most common route of administration (74%) while nebulization counts 13%.

CONCLUSIONS: These early findings are a pointer to the prescribing practice; however, the minimal use of antibiotics is an encouraging signal to follow further. The integration of these results in prescribing shall lead to promotion of rational pharmacotherapy.