Journal of Developing Drugs
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-6631
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2329-6631
+44 1478 350008
Ettore Napoleone
Family Pediatricians�Medicines for Children Research Network, Italy
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Develop Drugs
Paediatricians should be aware that the inappropriate use of antibiotics in early children (0 -2 years) increases the risk of ADRs and drug resistance. Despite of it is well known that around 80% of respiratory tract infections have a viral etiology, data about pharmaceutical prescription suggest an increasing consumption of antibiotics in this age group. The use of these drugs is not always based on scientific evidence, increasing problems in term of efficacy and safety of the therapy. In this context, Family Paediatricians -Medicines for Children Research Network (FP-MCRN) established with the aim of developing competence, infrastructure and education for paediatric clinical trials, plays a crucial role in paediatric Pharmacovigilance, thought a training and educational courses, a correct research methodology and very strong relationship with the families. The aim of the FP-MCRN-Study was to evaluate the prescription attitude related to antibiotics in the early paediatric population, to encourage the appropriate use of antibiotics and to inform paediatricians and families about the possible iatrogenic illnesses caused by their improper use. This study represents a territorial survey of the prescriptive appropriateness and safety of these drugs in the paediatric population, a necessary prerequisite to assess the risk-benefit ratio of their use. The study evaluated the antibiotic prescriptions in 4060 children (0-2 years) of 37 Family Pediatricians (FP) in 2013. During 2014 we achieved specific training and educational courses for FP and families on the appropriate use of antibiotics and on the possible iatrogenic illnesses caused by their improper use. The results obtained highlighted that 3369 children (83%) of the 4060 received at least one prescription of antibiotic during 2013. In particular, a total of 7.114 prescriptions were dispensed, with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid as the first-choice treatment in 33% of patients. This -very high- value of prevalence (83%) of the antibiotic prescriptions will be compared with the 2015 prescription data after FP-MCRN training and educational courses directed to the families and to the 37 FP. We will compared antibiotic ADRs too. The antibiotic over-prescription (prevalence-83%) exposes patients to an increased risks of side effects and drug resistance, both representing public health problems. Hence, the need to improve the activity of antibiotic prescribing, in particular in the early pediatric populations. The starting point must necessarily be cultural: An implementation of the culture of iatrogenic disease and a careful assessment of the correct diagnosis and therapy.
Email: ettorenapoleone@tiscali.it