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Topical corticosteroids in infants: prescribing pattern and prescribing errors in Bahrain

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

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

Pharmacy World & Science : PWS
|February 14, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Topical corticosteroid prescribing in Bahraini infants shows significant errors, including inappropriate potency and missing dosage information. Rational prescribing and updated guidelines are crucial for optimal infant skin care.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pediatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Topical corticosteroids are frequently prescribed for infants.
  • Infants are a vulnerable population requiring careful drug selection and administration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To audit topical corticosteroid prescribing patterns and identify errors in infants within Bahrain's primary care setting.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide audit of prescriptions dispensed to infants from 20 primary care centers over two weeks.
  • Analysis of 2282 infant prescriptions, identifying topical corticosteroid use and associated prescribing details.

Main Results:

  • 13% of infant prescriptions included topical corticosteroids.
  • Significant omissions in dosing frequency (21.6%) and therapy duration (43.6%) were noted.
  • Inappropriate use of moderate-to-potent corticosteroids and controversial dilution techniques were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Topical corticosteroid therapy in infants in Bahrain is suboptimal, characterized by prescribing errors and suboptimal practices.
  • Recommendations include establishing treatment guidelines, implementing pharmacovigilance, and revising the essential drug list.
Abstract

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