Abstract

Importance of clinical pharmacist activities in outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital - a prospective observational study

Author(s): Kurapati Ruchitha, Mokara Venkata Chandralekha, Chukkayagari Swatwika Reddy, Narkula Shivani Goud and Dr. Mohammad Mohasin Pasha

Background: The clinical pharmacist’s function is critical in justifying prescriptions by recognizing DRPs, patient counselling, MHIs, and developing pharmaceutical care plans to improve the patient’s quality of life.

Objectives: Assessment of drug-related problems and initiation action plan, rationalization of prescription, to improve the standard of life of patients, to promote evidence-based medicine, minimize misuse or overuse, treatment failure, adverse effects.

Methods: A prospective observational investigation was conducted over 6 months in various tertiary care hospitals, a whole of 195 prescriptions were extracted from the patient and assessed.

Results: A whole of 195 cases were collected, 145 of which were irrational and 50 of which were rational. Among 145 irrational cases, Drug Duplication errors-3.44%, Drug Interactions9.65%, Wrong Drug errors-20%, Incorrect strength- 42.75%, Inappropriate dosage form & contraindications 0%, No indication errors-0.63%, Overdose errors-4.82%, Under dose errors1.37%, Dispensing errors-84.82%, Condition untreated-2.06%, Condition undertreated0.68%, Wrong dose errors- 0.68%, Billing errors-12.41%, Transcription errors- 1.37%, Prescribing errors-4.13%, Major errors- 0.68%, Wrong route errors-0%.

Conclusion: The most recurrent issues caused by drugs are dispensing errors, incorrect strength and wrong drug errors. The key conclusion of the study is that the CP’s job aids in the decrease of DRPs, which helps in the rationalization of prescriptions. As a result, clinical pharmacist plays a crucial part in the healthcare system.