Implications of the South African National Drug Policy on prescribing patterns: a case study of the Limpopo province.

BACKGROUND: The South African National Drug Policy (SA-NDP) was introduced to promote rational medicine use (RMU). This study evaluates the quality of prescribing in the public healthcare sector in South Africa's Limpopo province following the World Health Organization's (WHO) rational prescribing standards. In addition, the prescribing practices in South Africa were compared to other African countries. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional survey of patients' prescriptions was conducted in Limpopo, South Africa, from October to December 2018. Findings were compared with the WHO reference values (WHO-RV), and the International Network of Rational Use of Drugs (IRDP) tool was used to measure the degree of rational prescribing. The optimal IRDP value was defined as 1. Study findings were compared with results from a previous study conducted in Limpopo and studies from Ethiopia and Eritrea. RESULTS: Six hundred prescriptions were reviewed. The mean (SD) age was 43.9 ± 24.4 years (females = 56.5%). The average number of drugs prescribed (4.3, IRDP = 0.47) was higher than the WHO-RV (< 2). Generic prescribing (43%, IRDP = 0.43) and medicines prescribed from the essential medicines list (EML) (90%, IRDP = 0.90) were less than the WHO-RV (100%, respectively). Antibiotics (28%, IRDP = 1) and the number of injections prescribed (8%, IRDP = 1) were below the WHO-RV (< 30% and < 20%, respectively). The number of medicines prescribed was higher compared to previous years (4.3 vs. 3.4). Antibiotic prescribing declined (28% vs. 63.4%). Generic prescribing (43% vs. 41.7%) and medicines prescribed from the EML (90% vs. 93.1%) did not improve. A higher number of medicines were prescribed in this study compared to Ethiopia (1.7) and Eritrea (1.8), and a lower number of antibiotics were prescribed compared to Ethiopia (58.2%) and Eritrea (54.5%). Generic prescribing was low compared to Ethiopia (95.6%) and Eritrea (94.9%). All studies showed reduced injection prescribing (6.6-15.9%) and similar prescribing from the EML (90-95%). CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased potential for drug-drug and adverse reactions with the increased number of prescribed medicines; however, the patient's clinical needs may warrant using multiple medicines. There is a need for generic prescribing to reduce medicine expenditure.

Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin in Critically Ill Children: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vancomycin is often used in the ICU for the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infection. In critically ill children, there are pathophysiologic changes that affect the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin. A systematic review of vancomycin pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in critically ill children was performed. METHODS: Pharmacokinetic studies of vancomycin in critically ill children published up to May 2021 were included in the review provided they included children aged > 1 month. Studies including neonates were excluded. A search was performed using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Systematic Reviews (ROBIS) was used to check for quality and reduce bias. Data on study characteristics, patient demographics, clinical parameters, pharmacokinetic parameters, outcomes, and study limitations were collected. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included in this review. A wide variety of dosing and sampling strategies were used in the studies. Methods for estimating vancomycin pharmacokinetics, especially the area under the curve over 24 h, varied. Vancomycin doses of 20-60 mg/kg were given daily. This resulted in high variability in pharmacokinetic parameters. Vancomycin trough level was less than 15 µg/mL in most of the studies. Vancomycin clearance ranged from 0.05 to 0.38 L/h/kg. Volume of distribution ranged from 0.1 to 1.16 L/kg. Half-life was between 2.4 and 23.6 h. Patients in the study receiving continuous vancomycin infusion had AUC24 < 400 µg·h/mL. CONCLUSION: There is large variability in the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin among critically ill patients. Studies to assess the factors responsible for this variability in vancomycin pharmacokinetics are needed.

Antihypertensive prescription among black patients without compelling indications: prescription, effectiveness, quality and cost of medication.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension remains one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria. Appropriate and cost-effective treatment of the disease is necessary to reduce mortality. This study evaluates (i) the prescription patterns and quality (ii) blood pressure control and (iii) cost of medication among patients with hypertension uncomplicated by co-morbid diseases or compelling indications. METHOD: Patients with uncomplicated hypertension attending three clinics in the University College Hospital, Ibadan in Nigeria were recruited into this study. Information on demographics, antihypertensive medication prescribed, blood pressure measurements, and cost of medications were collected for each patient. Antihypertensive medications were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system and the Defined Daily Dose (DDD) system. The frequency of usage of each drug class and their prescribed doses per patient/day were calculated and compared with the DDD to assess the quality of prescription. Cost of antihypertensive medication was calculated for each patient and reported as cost per patient/day and cost per patient/month. Effect of variables on BP control was ascertained. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS, chi-square and correlation test was used to test for associations. RESULT: A total number of 1050 hypertensive patients were included in this study. The mean age was 60 years, females made up 62% of the study population. A high level of polypharmacy (87%) and sub-optimal blood pressure control was observed. An increase in blood pressure was observed with increase in the number of medication prescribed (χ2 = 33.618, p < 0.001; r = .18, p < 0.001). The most prescribed antihypertensive medication either as a single therapy or a fixed-dose combination was diuretic. About 54% of the prescribed daily doses of antihypertensive medication exceeded the DDD. The total monthly expenditure on antihypertensive drugs was approximately N3.2 million ($15,300). CONCLUSION: Study findings show a high level of polypharmacy and non-generic prescribing. Increased prescribing of drugs that are cost-effective, as well as prescription of fixed dose combinations (FDCs), is recommended in hypertensive patients. This is necessary to control blood pressure while increasing treatment adherence.

Statin prescribing among hypertensive patients in southwest Nigeria: findings and implications for the future.

BACKGROUND: Statins reduce cardiovascular risk, especially in patients with hypertension due to their concomitant blood pressure reducing effects. Prescribing generic statins minimizes cost and improves access. AIMS: Ascertain current prescribing of statins in Nigeria and potential savings from the increased use of generic statins. METHODS: Prospective study involving hypertensive patients attending University College Hospital (Ibadan, Nigeria). RESULTS: In total, 228 hypertensive patients received statins. Atorvastatin was the most prescribed statin, followed by simvastatin, rosuvastatin and finally fluvastatin. Prescribed doses were less than one defined daily dose in the majority, with high use of originators. Average monthly potential savings from increased prescribing of generic statins was US$2635 for atorvastatin and US$10,578 for rosuvastatin. CONCLUSION: A shift toward increased prescribing generic statins is recommended to minimize costs.