DRUG-RELATED PROBLEMS IN PEDIATRIC OUTPATIENTS’ PRESCRIPTIONS IN CAN THO CITY
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Drug-related problems (DRPs) can affect the safety and effectiveness of treatment, especially for children. However, studies on DRPs in pediatric outpatients are limited. Objectives: To determine the proportion of each type of DRPs and the factors related to DRPs in pediatric outpatients’ prescriptions. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study on outpatient prescriptions at a pediatric examination department of a hospital in Can Tho city (from January 1 to January 15, 2020) was conducted. Prescriptions were recorded from prescription software. Pharmacists identified DRPs in the prescriptions using following documents: summary of product characteristics, Vietnamese National Drug Formulary 2015, British National Formulary for Children 2018–2019, and treatment guidelines. Drug-drug interactions were looked up by Lexicomp and Micromedex software. Results: 4,681 prescriptions were assessed. A total of 7,298 DRPs was identified, with an average of 1.6 DRPs per prescription. The number of prescriptions with at least 1 DRP was about 80%. The most common DRP was the inappropriate dosage (34.6%), follow by inappropriate timing of administration (26.6%), indication (22.3%), dosage frequency (16.4%), and durg-drug interaction (0.1%). Prescriptions of patients aged 6 and over often occur more DRP than patients aged 6-15 years (OR=1.384; 95% CI=1.170–1.637; p<0.001). An increase in the number of drugs in the prescription increases the risk of DRP (OR=2.618; 95% CI=2.424– 2.828; p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of DRPs was quite high. Clinical significance should be assessed and appropriate interventions are needed to prevent DRPs.
Article Details
Keywords
Drug-related problems, Pediatrics, Outpatients prescriptions
References
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