title: [Drug use in neonatology units of 6 Spanish hospitals].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the status of drug use in Neonatology units regarding: 1. Frequency of use for drugs unauthorised by DirecciA(3)n General de Farmacia y Productos Sanitarios. 2. Suitability of commercial presentations regarding actual needs of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cut-off points were established for 100% of patients admitted to Neonatology Units in 6 Spanish hospitals. Data on demography and therapeutic drug profile were collected, as well as on whether doses were or not prepared by Pharmacy departments. Approval for each drug regarding indication, age range, dosage and administration route was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of patients included was 346. In all, 17.6% of patients were under treatment with unauthorised drugs, the reason being age in 78.7% and indication in 21.3%. Master formula preparation was needed for 22% of patients because of a lack of commercial preparations suited for paediatric age. Pharmacy departments prepared 25% of prescribed drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of unauthorised drugs in Neonatology is a common fact. Pharmacy departments are actively involved in Neonatology-related drug therapies: counselling and/or processing for compassionate unauthorised drug use, master formula preparation, intravenous mixtures, etc. Therapeutics in Neonatology benefits from specialised pharmaceutical involvement.
authors.affiliation: Grupo esapñol de Farmacia pediátrica. SEFH. Madrid. Spain.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Feal Cortizas
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barroso Pérez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carcelen Andrés
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fábrega Bosacoma
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gallego Lago
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hidalgo Albert
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Pozas Del Río
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puy Goyache
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Revert Molina-Niñirola
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valverde Molina
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wood Wood
mesh_terms: D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013030:Spain
vernacular_title: Utilización de medicamentos en Unidades de Neonatología de 6 hospitales españoles.