The Evaluation of Drug Utilization Review on Potentially Inappropriate Medications for Elderly Patients in a Tertiary Hospital
10.24304/kjcp.2019.29.1.25
- Author:
Yeo Hyang CHO
1
;
Kwang Joon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University Hospital, 42 Jebongro, Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61469, Republic of Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Drug utilization review;
elderly patient;
inappropriate medications
- MeSH:
Aged;
Benzodiazepines;
Citalopram;
Drug Utilization Review;
Drug Utilization;
Electronic Health Records;
Humans;
Korea;
Paroxetine;
Potentially Inappropriate Medication List;
Prescriptions;
Retrospective Studies;
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors;
Tertiary Care Centers
- From:Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
2019;29(1):25-32
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: South Korea made a list of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for elderly patients in 2015 and has prompted medical professionals to prescribe proper medication by using the drug utilization review (DUR) system. It has been three years since the system was introduced, but related studies have rarely been conducted. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the DUR system on the prescription of PIMs for elderly patients. METHODS: The data on the prescription of PIMs for elderly patients (≥ 65 years) who received medical treatment between March 1st and May 31st in 2015 (before introduction of the DUR system) and who received medical treatment between March 1st and May 31st in 2018 (after introduction of the DUR system) were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. RESULTS: The prescriptions of PIMs decreased from 3,716 (7.7%) to 3,857 (6.9%) (p < 0.001). The prescription of escitalopram and paroxetine, among selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, increased significantly, and that of short-acting benzodiazepines also increased significantly from 454 (0.93%) to 624 (1.2%). CONCLUSION: Prescription of PIMs for elderly patients significantly decreased (p < 0.001) after the DUR system was introduced. Further expanded studies of PIMs need to be conducted for the safety of elderly patients.
