Resumo

CRUZ BARRIOS, María Aida et al. Patterns of prescription of the transfer factor in 11 hospitals located in the City of Havana, 2002. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2005, vol.31, n.4, pp. 0-0. ISSN 0864-3466.

The transfer factor is an immunostimulant that is used in a wide array of diseases. Despite the fact that indications for this product are regulated, offer is generally insufficient and it is suspected that this drug is overused in daily clinical practice. Therefore, a drug utilization study was conducted in 11 hospitals located in the City of Havana to characterize the after-market prescription of this pharmaceutical. Prescribing practices were analyzed in 425 patients, which yielded that 94.1% was given the drug by the outpatient service, 70.8% of prescriptions were not included in those approved by the health registry; 56.7% was directed to treat recurrent infectious diseases and 34 different therapeutic schemes were followed. It was concluded that the use of TF in the present clinical practice does not comply with the regulations passed for this product

Palavras-chave : transfer factor; drug use study; pharmacoepidemiology; immunostimulant; prescription practices.