PHARMACEUTICAL CARE IN THE DISPENSATION OF MEDICATIONS FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Improving therapy safety and optimizing prescriptions are objectives of the health system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of inappropriate medication use in pediatrics. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted based on the evaluation of 115 prescriptions for pediatric patients dispensed at a drugstore located in Santos/SP. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Universidade Santa Cecília. 11% of the prescriptions contained interactions; 201 medications were prescribed, 7.96% of which were inappropriate. The pharmacist, as the last professional in the interdisciplinary chain, plays a crucial role in the drug therapy chain stage, acting as a barrier in the medication process, ensuring the safety and use of medications in this population profile.

Keywords: Pediatrics; Pharmaceutical care; Inappropriate medications.