OBJECTIVE: A nationwide, primary care-based prescription audit in infants to determine the prescribing pattern and prescribing errors of topical corticosteroid preparations in Bahrain. METHOD: Prescriptions dispensed for infants were collected for two successive weeks from 20 primary-care health centres. RESULTS: Among 2282 out of 102,084 prescriptions (2.2%) dispensed for infants, 296 (13.0%) had corticosteroids for topical application to the skin, eye and ear. Plain corticosteroids comprised 6.7%, whereas corticosteroids with antiinfectives accounted for 6.3% of topical corticosteroid preparations. Based on potency the proportions of corticosteroids prescribed were: mild (6.7%), moderately potent (2.6%) and potent (3.7%). The frequency of dosing and length of therapy were not stated in 21.6% and 43.6% of prescriptions, respectively. Base cream as a dilutional vehicle was prescribed in 11.2% (11/98) and 32.4% (12/37) prescriptions containing hydrocortisone acetate 1% cream and betamethasone valerate 0.1%, respectively. In few instances two corticosteroids were concomitantly prescribed. CONCLUSION: Prescribing moderate-to-potent topical preparations in approximately half of the infants, co-prescription of multiple corticosteroid preparations, omission of important components of prescription, and resorting to the controversial vehicle diluting technique suggest that topical corticosteroid therapy is sub-optimal. In infants, topical corticosteroids should be rationally prescribed. Establishing the treatment guidelines, pharmacovigilance programme and revision of the primary care essential drug list are needed in Bahrain.
OBJECTIVE: A nationwide, primary care-based prescription audit in infants to determine the prescribing pattern and prescribing errors of topical corticosteroid preparations in Bahrain. METHOD: Prescriptions dispensed for infants were collected for two successive weeks from 20 primary-care health centres. RESULTS: Among 2282 out of 102,084 prescriptions (2.2%) dispensed for infants, 296 (13.0%) had corticosteroids for topical application to the skin, eye and ear. Plain corticosteroids comprised 6.7%, whereas corticosteroids with antiinfectives accounted for 6.3% of topical corticosteroid preparations. Based on potency the proportions of corticosteroids prescribed were: mild (6.7%), moderately potent (2.6%) and potent (3.7%). The frequency of dosing and length of therapy were not stated in 21.6% and 43.6% of prescriptions, respectively. Base cream as a dilutional vehicle was prescribed in 11.2% (11/98) and 32.4% (12/37) prescriptions containing hydrocortisone acetate 1% cream and betamethasone valerate 0.1%, respectively. In few instances two corticosteroids were concomitantly prescribed. CONCLUSION: Prescribing moderate-to-potent topical preparations in approximately half of the infants, co-prescription of multiple corticosteroid preparations, omission of important components of prescription, and resorting to the controversial vehicle diluting technique suggest that topical corticosteroid therapy is sub-optimal. In infants, topical corticosteroids should be rationally prescribed. Establishing the treatment guidelines, pharmacovigilance programme and revision of the primary care essential drug list are needed in Bahrain.
Authors: L A Drake; S M Dinehart; E R Farmer; R W Goltz; G F Graham; M K Hordinsky; C W Lewis; D M Pariser; S B Webster; D C Whitaker; B Butler; B J Lowery; S A Raimer; B R Krafchik; E Olsen; W L Weston Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 1996-10 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Sarah F Alsukait; Najd M Alshamlan; Zeina Z Alhalees; Sami N Alsuwaidan; Abdulmajeed M Alajlan Journal: Saudi Med J Date: 2017-06 Impact factor: 1.484
Authors: Min Jung Kang; Ji Hyun Park; Sunny Park; Nam Gyu Kim; Eun Young Kim; Yun Mi Yu; Do Young Kim; Ju-Yeun Lee; Wan Gyoon Shin; Soo An Choi Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-07-29 Impact factor: 3.240