Pharmacology and Therapeutics Department, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; Paediatrics and Child Health Department, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; Pharmacy Department, Lagos State Univers
Oshikoya, K.A., Pharmacology and Therapeutics Department, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, Paediatrics and Child Health Department, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, Pharmacology and Therapeutics Department, Lagos State University College of Medicine, P.M.B 21266, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; Chukwura, H.A., Pharmacy Department, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; Ojo, O.I., Pharmacy Department, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Paediatric drug prescriptions are rarely evaluated in Nigeria. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the paediatric drug prescriptions at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja so as to determine conformity with rational drug prescriptions. It was also aimed at offering useful interventions to any identified problems. The prescriptions of children aged < 12 years who had attended the paediatric outpatient clinic between January and May 2006 were studied retrospectively. A total of 1944 prescriptions were analysed after excluding those that were illegible. 7146 drugs were prescribed and the numbers of drugs prescribed per patient per visit were between 1 and 8 with a mean value of 3.7. Injections were prescribed for 349 (18.0%) patients and artemether 144 (41.3%) was the most frequently prescribed injection. Only 141 (7.3%) of the drugs were prescribed with pure generic names. Others had their drugs prescribed in proprietary names and abbreviation/ acronym. Antimalarials, analgesics/antipyretics, vitamin B complex and antibiotics were the most commonly prescribed drugs. All the drugs prescribed, except roxithromycin and the fixed artemesinin based combined drugs, were present in the Nigerian national essential drugs list. Antibiotics constituted 41.4% of the total prescribed drugs. This study has revealed many inappropriate prescriptions in the paediatric outpatient clinic and notable of these are the low rate of prescriptions in generic names; polypharmacy; and over prescription of vitamin B complex and multivitamin supplements. An algorithm for treating common childhood conditions seen at this centre needs to be developed and circulated among doctors attending to these children. Continuous medical education with a focus on rational drug use and evidence based medicine is required.
analgesic agent; anthelmintic agent; antibiotic agent; antihistaminic agent; antiinfective agent; antimalarial agent; antipyretic agent; artemesinin; ascorbic acid; bicarbonate; calamine; eye drops; eye ointment; folic acid; generic drug; iron; multivitamin; phenobarbital; roxithromycin; tetanus antibody; tetanus toxoid; topical agent; unclassified drug; vitamin B complex; article; child; continuing education; evidence based medicine; human; medical education; outpatient care; physician; polypharmacy; prescription; teaching hospital; vitamin supplementation