Thoughts and suggestions on the use of of chinese patent medicines in pediatrics / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the varieties and use of oral proprietary Chinese medicines in our hospital, analyze the problems existing in their labelings, and put forward suggestions to provide reference for clinical rational drug use. METHODS: The properties of the 101 kinds of oral proprietary Chinese medicines in regard to the category, dosage form, essential drug, health care, OTC, and so on were summarized. Their labelings were collected to analyze the specification, usage and dosage, adverse reactions, contraindications and precautions, etc. RESULTS: Among the 101 traditional Chinese medicines, 44.6% were developed specially for children. When counted by categories and dosage forms, the medicines for regulating spleen and stomach and granules accounted for the majority, respectively. Essential drugs, drugs belonging to the directory of insured drugs, and OTC drugs accounted for 19.8%, 70.4%, and 26.7%, respectively. It was found that 51.5% of the labelings included dosage information for different ages in detail, 59.4% did not state adverse reactions and contraindications clearly, and the smallest dosage suggested by 14.9% of the labelings were less than the smallest packaging dose. CONCLUSION: Chinese patent medicines are widely used in pediatrics, but the information for children is still incomplete. The problems in the prescribing mainly include inappropriate selection of drugs and combination of medications. It was recommended that the relevant authorities carry out pediatric drug reevaluation and improve the labelings of pediatric drugs.