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Drug use in French children: a population-based study
Anne Bénard-Laribière1, Jérémy Jové2, Régis Lassalle2
1Service de pharmacologie médicale, CHU Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|May 16, 2015
Summary
In France, 84% of children used prescription drugs in 2011, with younger children consuming the most. Widespread use of potentially ineffective and toxic medications was observed, particularly in those under five.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Pharmacoepidemiology
Background:
- Drug utilization in pediatric populations is a critical public health concern.
- Understanding prescribing patterns in children is essential for ensuring safe and effective medication use.
- Previous data on outpatient pediatric drug use in France was limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the patterns of drug use among outpatient children in France.
- To estimate the prevalence and types of medications prescribed to children under 18.
- To identify age-related differences in pediatric drug consumption.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, cross-sectional study utilizing the EGB database (Echantillon Généraliste de Bénéficiaires).
- Analysis of drug reimbursements for children under 18 years old between January and December 2011, excluding vaccines.
- Prevalence calculations based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification.
Main Results:
- The study included 133,800 children, with an overall drug use prevalence of 84%.
- The median number of different drugs per child was 5, with highest use observed in children under 2 years.
- Commonly used drugs included paracetamol, anti-infectives, nasal corticosteroids, decongestants, and antihistamines; 21% of children under 2 received domperidone.
Conclusions:
- Significant prevalence of drug use exists in French outpatient children.
- Concerns regarding the use of potentially ineffective and toxic medications in this population were highlighted.
- Irrational medicine use was most pronounced in children aged five years and younger.
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