Abstract
Background Medication use review (MUR) is increasingly being recognized globally as a routine strategy performed by pharmacists to optimize the therapeutic outcomes of long-term medications. MUR services are not commonly available in hospitals and primary health care (PHC) centers in Qatar and no previous studies have reported the nature and extent of such services where they exist. Objective To describe the extent and types of drug-related problems (DRPs) generated from MUR interactions conducted at a PHC facility in Qatar and to determine the effect of patient characteristics on the number of DRPs. Method This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory study. Data were generated and documented prospectively via semi-private interviews conducted by intervention pharmacists (n = 6). DRPs identified were categorized according to the Pharmaceutical Care Network of Europe DRP classification system. Results In 56 medication reviews conducted, a total of 173 DRPs were identified with an average of 3.3 DRPs per patient. The most commonly encountered DRPs were non-adherence (31 %), need for education (23 %), and adverse drug reactions (21 %). Patients receiving six or more medications had significantly higher number of DRPs compared to those receiving three medications (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, elderly patients tended to have more DRPs compared to younger patients and there was a linear relationship between age and DRPs. Conclusion This study shows that patients receiving polypharmacy and the elderly in Qatar are vulnerable to experiencing DRPs, many of which are potentially preventable through MURs.
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
Sabaté E. Adherence to long-term therapies: evidence for action. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2003.
Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. Medicines use review (MUR): the medicines use review and prescription intervention service [Online]. 2013 [cited 25 July 2013]; available from: http://psnc.org.uk/services-commissioning/advanced-services/murs/). [Cited 25 Jul 2013].
Latif A, Pollock K, Boardman HF. Medicines use reviews: a potential resource or lost opportunity for general practice? BMC Fam Pract. 2013;14:57.
Brossoie N, Roberto KA, Barrow KM. Making sense of intimate partner violence in late life: comments from online news readers. Gerontologist. 2012;52(6):792–801.
Finkers F, Maring JG, Boersma F, Taxis K. A study of medication reviews to identify drug-related problems of polypharmacy patients in the Dutch nursing home setting. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2007;32(5):469–76.
Khalil H. A review of pharmacist recommendations in an aged care facility. Aust J Prim Health. 2011;17(1):35–9.
Latif A, Pollock K, Boardman HF. The contribution of the Medicines Use Review (MUR) consultation to counseling practice in community pharmacies. Patient Educ Couns. 2011;83(3):336–44.
NHS. Clinical Medication Review [Online]. 2013 [cited 2013 Jul 1]. Available from: http://www.cumbria.nhs.uk/ProfessionalZone/MedicinesManagement/Guidelines/MedicationReview-PracticeGuide2011.pdf.
The PCNE DRP classification [Online]. 2010 [cited 2011 Apr 28]. Available from: http://www.pcne.org/sig/drp/drug-related-problems.php.
Viktil KK, Blix HS, Moger TA, Reikvam A. Polypharmacy as commonly defined is an indicator of limited value in the assessment of drug-related problems. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2007;63(2):187–95.
Kempen T, Gompel C, Hoogland D, Bouvy LM. Drug related problems and interventions recorded in the Service Apotheek Medication Review Tool [Online]. 2013 [cited 30 Jul 2013]. Available from: http://vkc.library.uu.nl/vkc/upper/Lists/Events/DispForm.aspx?ID=186&ContentTypeId=0x01001C88203559EF0545BBF6EBEF79014029.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank all pharmacists who provided the MUR services and the patients who participated in the study.
Funding
Funding was received from Qatar University under the Undergraduate Research Fund.
Conflicts of interest
None to declare.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kheir, N., Awaisu, A., Sharfi, A. et al. Drug-related problems identified by pharmacists conducting medication use reviews at a primary health center in Qatar. Int J Clin Pharm 36, 702–706 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-014-9962-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-014-9962-5