Drug utilization pattern in an Omani pediatric population

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that medication errors have a higher incidence in children and infants than in adults. At present, there is limited local data that investigates the drug prescription trends in pediatric populations. This study aims at understanding drug utilization patterns in pediatric patients at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Oman. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient pediatric clinics and inpatient pediatric wards at SQUH, a tertiary care hospital attached to the Sultan Qaboos University Medical College, Oman. RESULTS: The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.3 ± 1.5, and it was almost similar in all age groups and in both males and females. About 16% of the study group received antibiotics. Paracetamol was the most prescribed drug in the patients (13%). Respiratory system drugs were the most prescribed class of drugs (22%) and salbutamol was the most prescribed drug in this class. CONCLUSIONS: This study will help in assessing rational usage and cost control of various medications used in the pediatric setting.