One-third of all prescriptions for children are antibiotics
Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed drugs in Irish children, an RCSI study has found. The HRB Centre for Primary Care Research at the RCSI investigated the rate of antibiotic prescriptions among children in Ireland.
Antibiotics represent one-third of all prescriptions in Irish children. The high rates of antibiotic prescribing are an increasing concern with rising antimicrobial resistance and the associated burden on the health service, the study found.
Data on systemic antibiotics was obtained from the General Medical Services (GMS) claims database for the purpose of the study. The data was routinely collected from children receiving free medical services around the country between 2004 and 2008. It represented almost one -hird of all children in Ireland; 271,000 per year under 15 years.
Prescribing rates were compared across the age groups, gender and study years.
Prescription rates increased each year from 2004 to 2007. Rates decreased for the first time in 2008, although 2008 represented the highest ingredient cost over the five year period at ?2.8 million. Children in the 0-4 age group received most prescriptions (1,458/1,000 population) compared to other age groups (5-11 years: 862/1,000 population and 12-15 years: 736/1,000 population). The prescribing rates were very similar for both males and females.
Amoxicillin (298/1,000 population) and a combination of amoxicillin and enzyme inhibitor (296/1,000 population) were the most commonly prescribed drugs over the five year period. These two drugs represent 58 per cent of annual prescribing.
Cefaclor (135/1,000 population) was the third-most commonly prescribed drug followed by clarithromycin and phenoxymethylpenicillin.
In 2008, there was a decrease in prescription rates; however the data is considerably higher than European counterparts. These findings suggest the overuse of antibiotics within the Irish GMS population, the researchers stated. There is a benefit to be gained from an intervention by GPs, parents and patients. The study authors suggest this would contribute to patient care and reduce costs to the state.
The Health Research Board (HRB) is an Irish agency supporting and funding health research. The HRB Centre for Primary Care Research is a collaboration between the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). This study is one of a number of studies to be presented and discussed tomorrow (March 19) at the 13th Annual Scientific Meeting held by the Association of University Departments of General Practice in Ireland at the Department of General Practice, RCSI.