Abstract :
Objective: To analyse the current prescription patterns and the economics of drugs used in the treatment of URTI.
Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in the out-patient department of paediatrics. Children
of 1 month to 18 years, diagnosed with URTI by the physician were included in the study. The demographic details,
drugs prescribed, dose, duration of therapy, cost of drug therapy were all noted from the outpatient record. The cost
of individual drug was analysed and the health economic analysis of drugs were performed.
Results: The maximum number of children was in the age group of 1-5 years. The average number of drugs per
encounter was found to be 2.01. Antihistamines were commonly prescribed and hence it cost more to the patients,
followed by cough syrups.
Conclusion: Medical audit is effective in improvising the prescribing pattern. Long-term interventional studies are
needed to enhance the rational prescribing.
Keyword :
Paediatrics, economics, URTI.