A study to assess drug related problems in patients with Cardiovascular Diseases in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Abstract

Back ground: Drug related problems are common in hospitalized patients and may lead to increase hospital stay, health care cost and augment the risk of morbidity and mortality. Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the nature and frequency of drug related problems, to minimize drug related problems and to improve therapeutic outcome by pharmaceutical care provided by clinical pharmacist. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted in the cardiology department of a tertiary care hospital over a period of six months. Necessary demographic and clinical data was collected from the case records including drug history, other relevant details of the admitted patients and reviewed by the clinical pharmacist for drug related problems. Results: A total of 280 patient case sheets were reviewed during the study period, out of which 244 drug related problems were identified. The most common drug related problem was found to be drug interactions (58.6%) followed by untreated indication (19.26%) and drug use without indication (15.57%). The most frequent suggestions provided by the intervening pharmacist were drug discontinuation (5.32%), addition of a new drug (5.32%) and change of dosage form (4.5%). Conclusion: Drug related problems are common among medical ward patients. Routine participation of clinical pharmacist in clinical medical rounds facilitates the identification of drug related problems and the current study highlights the importance of pharmacist in a multidisciplinary team of reviewing drug therapy for identification and resolution of DRPs which helps in achieving better therapeutic outcomes and improved patient care. Keywords: cardiovascular diseases, clinical pharmacist, dyslipidemia, drug related problem.