Prescribing Practices of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Malaysia: A Need for a National Guideline for Immunoglobulin Use.

ABSTRACT: Rational use of drug involves the use of medicine as per clinical guidelines. Given the steady increase in the clinical utility of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) either as licensed or off-label use, concerns are being raised about the possibility of supply shortages that could significantly impact patient care. Therefore, there is a need to regulate and to promote the rational use of this valuable medication. This cross-sectional chart review study attempts to evaluate the prescribing patterns of IVIG at two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia. Patients' medical files and dispensing records were examined and compared with current guidelines. A total of 348 prescriptions for IVIG were written during the 1-year study period. The highest usage of IVIG was for neurological (47.9%), immunological

SUBMITTER: Lee JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9218597 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature