Investigation and Suggestion on the Situation of Pediatric Drug Shortage in Third-level Hospitals from Ji-angsu Province / 中国药房

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for improving the level of pediatric drug supply and guarantee. METHODS:Questionnaire survey about the situation and causes of pediatric drug shortage was conducted in 13 third-level hospitals of Jiangsu province [directors of pharmacy department(or drug purchasers)and clinical pharmacists of each surveyed hospital]. The survey da-ta were analyzed statistically so as to provide suggestions. RESULTS:A total of 26 questionnaires were distributed,and 26 effec-tive questionnaires were collected with effective recovery rate of 100%. In 13 hospitals,special drugs for children were mostly less than 5% of hospital drug list. There were 82 kinds of special drugs for children(containing hospital preparation),mainly including Chinese patent medicine(35.37%),drugs for respiratory system(12.20%),vitamin,mineral substance and enteral and parenteral nutrient solution(10.98%). The most types of anti-infective drugs,antineoplastics,nervous system drugs and psychotropic drugs, digestive system drugs were in shortage among 126 pediatric drugs in shortage(8.73%). The reasons for pediatric drug shortage mainly included price(38.10%),production break(32.54%),failure to bid or no supply(13.49%). The shortage of cheap drugs with price of 0.01-10.00 was the most serious,accounting for 57.94% of the varieties in shortage supply. Respondents thought that special drug shortage most affected clinical treatment(38.46%),followed by poisoning rescue drugs(30.77%)and orphan drugs(15.38%). CONCLUSIONS:Special drugs for children account for a very small proportion in the hospital drugs list. Pediatric drug shortage is affected by many factors. Cheap drug shortage is the most serious. The shortage of special drugs for children and poison-ing rescue drugs is considered to have a great impact on clinical treatment. It is suggested to establish special drugs for children pro-tective policy,improve drug circulation,promote pediatric drug clinical trial and intensify the research and development of special drugs for children so as to guarantee pediatric drug supply.