Paediatric outpatient prescriptions in France between 2010 and 2019 A nationwide population-based study Paediatric outpatient prescriptions in France, 2010 to 2019

Background: Paediatric outpatient prescription (POP) monitoring is pivotal to identify inadequate prescriptions and optimize drug use. We aimed at describing recent trends in POPs in France. Methods: All reimbursed dispensations of outpatient prescribed drugs (excluding vaccines) were prospectively collected for the paediatric population (<18 years old) in the French national health database in 2010-2011 and 2018-2019 (mean 117,356,938/year). POP prevalence (proportion of children receiving >1 drug prescriptions/year) was calculated by age groups and compared by prevalence rate ratios (PRRs). Given the large sample size, 95% confidence intervals of POP prevalences and PRRs did not differ from estimates. Findings: Among the 14,510,023 children resident in France in 2018-2019, mean POP prevalence was 857% children. Most prescribed therapeutic classes were analgesics (643%), antibiotics (405%), nasal corticosteroids (328%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (244%), antihistamines (246%) and systemic corticosteroids (210%). POPs decreased with age from 976% for infants to 782% for adolescents. Children <6 years old were notably more exposed to inhaled corticosteroids (PRR=3.06), non-penicillin beta-lactam antibacterial agents (PRR=3.05) and systemic corticosteroids (PRR=2.11) than older ones. The POP prevalence was slightly higher (PRR=1.04) during 2018-2019 than 2010-2011, with marked increases for anti-emetics (PRR=1.84), vitamin D (PRR=1.49), proton pump inhibitors (PRR=1.42), systemic contraceptives (PRR=1.24) and nasal corticosteroids (PRR=1.21) and decreases for propulsive/prokinetic agents (PRR=0.09), NSAIDs (PRR=0.73) and systemic antibiotics (PRR=0.88). Interpretation: POP remained highly prevalent in France throughout the 2010s, especially for children <6 years old, with only a few improvements for selected therapeutic classes. These findings should prompt clinical guidance campaigns and/or regulatory policies. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

The study described recent trends in paediatric outpatient prescriptions in France, finding a high prevalence of prescriptions, especially among children under 6. The findings suggest an increase in some therapeutic classes and a decrease in others in the prescribed medications.