Study of Prescribing Patterns of Antimicrobial Agents in the Paediatric Wards at Tertiary Teaching Care Hospital, Gujarat

Background: Prescription of drugs, which needs to be continuously assessed and refined according to disease progression. It not only reflects the physician’s knowledge about drugs but also his/her skill in diagnose and attitude towards selecting the most appropriate cost-effective treatment. Antimicrobials are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in hospital. As per literature, they account for over 50% of total value of drugs sold in our country. Such studies have been sparse from Gujarat and hence, this study was undertaken. Methods: Retrospective study was carried out by collecting 350 prescriptions containing antimicrobial agents in paediatric department at Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital, Vadodara to assess the prescribing patterns of antimicrobial agents. All information about the drugs details recorded in pretested Proforma that was finalized by our Pharmacology department. Results: Total 350 prescriptions containing 690 antimicrobial drugs were prescribed in patients during study. Of them aminoglycosides (233; 33.77%) was frequently prescribed followed by β-lactam group (191; 27.68) and cephalosporins (176; 25.5%). Average numbers of antimicrobials per prescription was 1.97.Out of 690 antimicrobial prescribed, 576(83.48%) were prescribed by generic name, while 114(16.52%) were prescribed by trade name. Total numbers of antimicrobial prescribed by parenteral route were 599 (86.81%), while only 91(13.18%) antimicrobial agents were prescribed by oral route. Out of 350 prescriptions two or more than two antimicrobial agents were prescribed in 249(71.14%) prescriptions, while 101(28.85%) prescriptions constitute one antimicrobial agent. Conclusion: Results indicates need for improving the prescribing pattern of drugs and minimizing the use of antimicrobial agents. It is suggested that further detail analysis to judge the rationality of the therapy is necessary. INTRODUCTION: Prescription order is an important transaction between the physician and the patient . It brings into focus the diagnostic acumen and therapeutic proficiency of the physician with instruction for palliation or restoration of the patient’s health . Prescription of drugs is an important skill, which needs to be continuously assessed and refined accordingly. It not only reflects the physician’s knowledge of pharmacology and pathophysiology of diseases but also his/her skill in diagnose and attitude