Drug related problems (DRPs) in pediatrics: a clinical prescription analysis

DRP is an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that actually or potentially interferes with desired health outcomes (PCNE). It can occur in any group of patient ( eg. pediatrics, geriatric, chronic kidney disease patient or psychotic patient) and population that represent a high risk of DRPs are pediatric patients (Prot-Labarthe et al., 2012). Pediatric patients are more vulnerable to DRPs due to their developmental differences and unique challenges. Pediatric patients are different in psychosocial influences towards drug therapy selections, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and also treatment options. Out of 113 of pediatric patients, 44 patients were detected having DRPs, while 70 patients remain none. The most common types of DRPs that occur among pediatric patients are drug-drug interaction, too low dose, too high dose, suboptimal dosing scheme, and unnecessary drug. The highest percentage of DRPs among pediatric patients were drug-drug interaction that accounts for 46.5%. The second highest DRPs were too low dose that account for 34.9%. The third highest DRPs were too high dose and unnecessary drug that account for 7% respectively, and the lowest DRPs were suboptimal dosing scheme.