What is typically assessed during a Drug Utilization Review?

What is typically assessed during a Drug Utilization Review?

• A. The financial performance of the pharmacy
• B. The patient's medical history and medication appropriateness
• C. The availability of over-the-counter drugs
• D. The volume of prescriptions filled

Answer: (B)

During a Drug Utilization Review (DUR), the focus is primarily on evaluating a patient’s medical history and the appropriateness of their medications. This process is crucial for ensuring patient safety and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. It involves assessing factors such as potential drug interactions, allergies, and duplicate therapies, as well as ensuring that the medications prescribed align with the patient's current health status. DUR helps healthcare providers make informed decisions regarding medication therapy, enhancing the quality of care provided to patients. By thoroughly reviewing the patient's past and present medications, clinicians can identify potential issues before they lead to adverse effects, thus promoting safe and effective medication use. In comparison, looking at the financial performance of a pharmacy, the availability of over-the-counter drugs, or the volume of prescriptions filled does not directly contribute to reviewing the safety and appropriateness of a patient’s medication therapy, which is the primary objective of a Drug Utilization Review.

During a Drug Utilization Review (DUR), the focus is primarily on evaluating a patient’s medical history and the appropriateness of their medications. This process is crucial for ensuring patient safety and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. It involves assessing factors such as potential drug interactions, allergies, and duplicate therapies, as well as ensuring that the medications prescribed align with the patient's current health status.

DUR helps healthcare providers make informed decisions regarding medication therapy, enhancing the quality of care provided to patients. By thoroughly reviewing the patient's past and present medications, clinicians can identify potential issues before they lead to adverse effects, thus promoting safe and effective medication use.

In comparison, looking at the financial performance of a pharmacy, the availability of over-the-counter drugs, or the volume of prescriptions filled does not directly contribute to reviewing the safety and appropriateness of a patient’s medication therapy, which is the primary objective of a Drug Utilization Review.