[india-drug] Antibiotic Prescribing In Children In India (1)

["Sampada Patvardhan" <dicmspc@yahoo.co.in>]

Antibiotic Prescribing In Children In India (1)
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Acute respiratory infection (ARI), acute watery diarrhea (ADD) and viral fever are the common childhood illnesses accounting for the major proportion of pediatric outpatient visits. Only a small proportion of these patients (<20%) require antibiotic therapy. Studies have shown that there is an inappropriate use of antibiotics, especially the broad-spectrum antibiotics, for these common childhood illnesses, which has contributed largely to the development of antibiotic resistance. Children do not become resistant to antibiotics. Only bacteria do. Even though a child may sometimes require more than one course of antibiotics to treat an infection it should never be routine to start with the newest, broadest spectrum antibiotics since that will hasten the development of resistant organisms. Use of these antibiotics should be reserved for unresponsive infections and recurrent infection in children recently treated with antibiotics. Physicians having only outpatient practice are more likely to prescribe antibiotics than those with both inpatient and outpatient practices. It is high time that the professional bodies should take up the project of increasing awareness about pediatric antibiotic use among the practicing physicians throughout the country. 

Secondly, many parents bring their sick child to the pediatrician thinking they need a prescription. If they don't get one they feel like the doctor didn't take them seriously and that they didn't receive good care. These parents all believe that antibiotics are the wonder drugs necessary to cure their child's illness. Prescribing antibiotics at the first sign of illness before the diagnosis is established doesn't give children any opportunity to develop any immunity to infectious bacteria.

Can something concrete be done to check all this in interest of our kids who are the future of India? Can some regulatory changes really happen than just discussing it academically? Can we all I-Drug members, make a real difference by imparting right kind of education in schools and save antibiotics for crisis?
   
 regards,
Dr.Sampada Patvardhan                                         
Director, Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council?s Drug Information Centre  E.S.I.S. Hospital Compound, L.B.S. Marg, Mulund (W), Mumbai-400 080   Phone: 25930607  Telefax: 25684291/25684418 
e-mail: dicmspc@yahoo.co.in  OR dicmspc@gmail.com