Drug Utilization Reviews (DURs) are comprehensive evaluations conducted on prescribed medications to assess their effectiveness, safety, and appropriateness. DURs are typically performed by healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, in collaboration with doctors, to ensure optimal patient outcomes. These reviews aim to identify potential issues related to medication therapy, including drug interactions, duplications, dosage errors, inappropriate drug selection, and possible adverse reactions.
When conducting a Drug Utilization Review, healthcare professionals analyze various aspects of medication use, such as the patient's medical history, existing medications, and specific health conditions. This process helps to identify any discrepancies or potential risks associated with the prescribed drugs. Healthcare providers then use this information to optimize medication therapy and to provide recommendations for improvements. These recommendations may include modifying the dosage, changing the medication, or providing counseling to patients and caregivers regarding potential risks and benefits.
The primary goals of Drug Utilization Reviews are to improve patient safety, enhance medication therapy effectiveness, minimize potential harm from adverse drug reactions, and reduce healthcare costs. By identifying and addressing medication-related issues, DURs contribute to promoting rational drug use and optimal patient care.
In conclusion, Drug Utilization Reviews involve comprehensive evaluations of prescribed medications to assess their appropriateness, safety, and efficacy. Healthcare professionals use these reviews to optimize medication therapy, identify potential drug-related issues, and provide recommendations for improvement. Through DURs, patient safety is enhanced by minimizing adverse drug reactions and promoting rational drug use.
