Optimizing Outpatient Medication Management: The Impact of Clinical Pharmacists on Identifying and Addressing Drug-Related Problems
International Pharmacy Acta,
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2023),
1 January 2023
,
Page e7:1-7
https://doi.org/10.22037/ipa.v6i1.41727
Abstract
Medication Therapy Management Services (MTMS) are effective strategies to reduce Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) and associated healthcare costs. Given the high prevalence of DRPs in outpatient settings and the lack of an effective process to detect such problems in Iran, we decided to evaluate the type and number of DRPs identified by clinical pharmacists in a university-affiliated Pharmacotherapy Clinic in Khuzestan province, South of Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 150 eligible outpatients were included. At a university-affiliated pharmacotherapy clinic, pharmacy students took patients' histories and referred them to clinical pharmacists for DRP evaluation and detection. Appropriate interventions were then implemented in collaboration with patients and their healthcare providers to resolve the problems. Approximately 3.56 DRPs per patient were identified during a nine-month study period. The most prevalent DRPs were lack of education or information (32.40% [174/537]), undertreated indications (17.31% [93/537]), and patient compliance (15.27% [82/537]). Clinical pharmacists detected 537 DRPs, implemented 525 interventions, and performed 0.977 interventions per DRP. The provision of information (57.52% [302/525]) and change of therapy (21.71% [114/525]) were the most frequent types of clinical pharmacist interventions. This study revealed deficiencies and limitations in our healthcare services, resulting in a significant prevalence of DRPs. Implementing pharmaceutical care practice models, such as Pharmacotherapy Clinics, where clinical pharmacists integrate their experience and knowledge in a patient-centered manner, is the most effective method for preventing and managing these issues
- Pharmaceutical Services
- Medication Therapy Management
- Disease Management
- Medication Adherence
- Medication Error
- Iran
- 2023-11-14 (3)
- 2023-11-14 (2)
- 2023-06-28 (1)
How to Cite
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