A drug utilization study to provide background data for bringing amendments in the drug dispensing policy of a pediatric referral center

Objectives The purpose of this study was to generate data regarding the drug utilization pattern in pediatric population of our tertiary care hospital so that we could generate an essential medicine list (EML). Background Drug therapy accounts for a major portion of expenditure toward health care. Reduction in health care cost for an individual can be achieved by lowering the cost of drug treatment. Methods This was an observational study conducted in the Advanced Pediatric Centre of our hospital, during which prescriptions and case records were reviewed. Results During the study a total of 891 prescriptions were reviewed. Antibiotics and nutritional supplements were the major drugs prescribed. A large percentage of drugs were prescribed as trade names. Eighty three per cent of the drugs were prescribed from the National List Of Essential Medicine 2003 (India). Antibiotics accounted for the major bulk of cost of drugs, most of which were purchased by the patients. Conclusions Restricted use of newer antibiotics, branded drugs and prescribing from the EML could be considered as targets for reduction of cost of therapy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.