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Evaluation of drug utilization and prescribing errors in infants: a primary care prescription-based study

Khalid A J Al Khaja1, Thuraya M Al Ansari, Awatif H H Damanhori

  • 1Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Arabian Gulf University, P.O. Box 22979, Bahrain. khlidj@agu.edu.bh

Health Policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|August 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Prescribing errors, including omissions and irrational drug use, are prevalent in Bahraini infant primary care. Improving drug information and pharmacovigilance is crucial for rational prescribing.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infant medication prescribing requires careful consideration due to developmental factors.
  • Prescribing errors can lead to adverse drug events and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes in pediatric populations.
  • Understanding drug utilization patterns and error types is essential for improving pediatric pharmacotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate drug utilization trends in infants treated at primary care centers in Bahrain.
  • To identify and classify medication-related prescribing errors in this population.
  • To describe the prevalence and types of prescribing errors encountered.

Main Methods:

  • A 2-week prospective study of infant prescriptions from 20 primary care health centers in Bahrain.
  • Classification of prescribing errors into omission, commission, and integration types.
  • Medication classification based on the British National Formulary.

Main Results:

  • Over 90% of 2282 prescriptions contained prescribing errors, predominantly omissions (e.g., unspecified therapy length or dosage form).
  • Common commission errors involved dosing frequency and dose/strength information.
  • Irrational drug prescribing included contraindicated medications (16.1%) and PRN (as needed) basis prescriptions (13.3%).

Conclusions:

  • Significant prescribing errors and irrational drug use are evident in infant primary care in Bahrain.
  • Potential contributing factors include a lack of drug information and pharmacovigilance programs.
  • Recommendations include establishing a national drug policy and pharmacovigilance system to promote rational drug use.

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