SHIFT IN ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIBING PATTERNS IN RELATION TO ANTIBIOTIC EXPENDITURE IN PEDIATRICS

In paediatrics, antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed dru gs. Because of an overall rise in health care costs, lack of uniformit y in drug prescribing and the emergence of antibiotic resistance, moni toring and control of antibiotic use is of growing concern and strict antibiotic policies are warranted. Before such a policy can be impleme nted, detailed knowledge of antibiotic prescribing patterns and relate d costs is important. In this study a shift of antibiotic prescription patterns over time is described in relation to hospital antibiotic ex penditure. Conclusions A considerable shift in prescription patterns t owards more expensive and broader spectrum antibiotics occurs in paedi atrics, carrying a risk for the development of antibiotic resistance a mong the most prevalent micro-organisms in this age group.