Drug Utilization Pattern and Adherence to the National List of Essential Medicines in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Rational prescribing in children deserves close attention because pediatric therapy relies on weight-based dosing and frequently falls outside licensed indications. Auditing what is actually prescribed on the wards, and how much of it comes from the National List of Essential Medicines, shows where prescribing can be tightened and where antimicrobial stewardship should focus. 
Objectives: To describe the drug utilization pattern in hospitalized pediatric patients using the WHO core prescribing indicators, and to measure adherence of prescriptions to the National List of Essential  Medicines.