Drug utilisation among Dutch adolescents: a pharmacy prescription records study. Issue 8 (1st August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kosse, Richelle C; Koster, Ellen S; de Vries, Tjalling W; Bouvy, Marcel L
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 104:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 745
• Publication Date: 2019-08-01
• Subjects: adolescent health -- epidemiology -- general paediatrics -- pharmacology; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2017-314692
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Studies on adolescent drug use are scarce as most studies do not distinguish between children and adolescents. Therefore, we assessed overall drug use in adolescents. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using pharmacy dispensing records from 62 community pharmacies in the Netherlands. Dispensing records of the previous 5 years were extracted for adolescents (12–18 years). Results: The study population consisted of 47 421 adolescents who collected at least one medication prescription during adolescence (mean age 15.5±1.8 years; 48.9% males). Half of them collected dermatologicals (46.2% males; 52.3% females), followed by drugs for the respiratory system (43.4% males; 40.3% females) and anti-infectives for systemic use (31.3% males; 39.1% females). The percentage of males using dermatologicals slightly increased, while the percentage of female users decreased with age. The most prescribed active ingredient was methylphenidate. Conclusions: These insights into adolescent drug use help us to better understand adolescent healthcare use. Trial registration number: Dutch trial register NTR5061.