[Use of propofol in Norwegian hospitals]

Abstract

Propofol is approved by the Norwegian authorities (The Norwegian Medicine Control Authority) only for anaesthesia for less than three hours in adults. 54% of Norwegian hospitals had used propofol for anaesthesia in children and 33% for anaesthesia of more than three hours duration. In hospitals with an intensive care unit, 66% had used it for sedation in adults, 24% in children. It is not illegal to use a drug without the approval of the control authority, but the sedation of children had taken place without a basis in scientific documentation. The market for propofol fell by 40% shortly after the media focused on possible severe side effects in sedated children. Many of the anaesthesiologists found the media focus useful, but many thought that it was incorrect, and most of them that it was too general.