OBJECTIVE

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To provide reference for relevant departments to improve the drug provision in children’s hospitals and further implement clinical management practices for rational drug use in pediatric patients.

METHODS

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According to the drug purchasing statistics of four sample class A tertiary children’s hospitals in Jiangsu province from 2012 to 2023， this study systematically reviewed and analyzed the drug provision and utilization in children’s hospitals， including the number of pharmaceuticals procured and used in hospitals， the concentration of drug usage among different hospitals， the situation of drugs recommended by the National Essential Medicine List and children’s clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines， and the standardization of clinical medication.

RESULTS

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In 2023， the number of commonly used drugs in 4 tertiary children’s hospitals was 922 varieties and 1 401 specifications， which was significantly lower than the total number of currently marketed children’s drugs. However， the concentration of drug usage among different hospitals was not high， with the proportion of drugs supplied and used in only one hospital accounting for approximately 40% and 50% respectively in terms of drug variety and specification. At present， among the drugs procured and used in sample children’s hospitals， the proportion of national essential medicines basically maintained between 30% and 40%， while drugs which could be safely and effectively used for children was about 60%. In addition， around 40% of the drug varieties recommended in pediatric clinical practice guidelines had also been applied in clinical treatment. Nevertheless， about 30% to 40% of prescription behavior was dependent on doctors’ personal experience and the phenomena of drugs prohibited and unsuitable use for children still existed.

CONCLUSIONS

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Although the number of clinical medications for children in China is limited， there are significant differences in the overall medication choices made by hospitals. The scientific， rational and standardized use of clinical medications also needs to be further strengthened.