Drug utilization in neonatal setting of Pakistan: focus on unlicensed and off label drug prescribing.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Unlicensed and off label drug use is an issue recognized worldwide in pediatric pharmacotherapy. The study was designed to assess the prevalence and predictors of unlicensed and off label drug use in neonatal population of Pakistan.

Method

A prospective, observation study was conducted in nursery units at pediatric department of four tertiary care hospitals during the 1 year. Micromedex DRUGDEX was used to evaluate the case notes of 1300 patients. Logistic regression was employed to calculate the odds ratio for the predictors of unlicensed and off label drug use.

Results

A total of 1300 patients were included in this study who were treated with 52 different drugs. The prevalence of off label drug use was higher (52.14%) as compared to unlicensed drug use (3

SUBMITTER: Aamir M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6060516 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature