Abstract
Community pharmacists performing Continuous Medication Monitoring (CoMM) systematically monitor each new prescription and refill dispensed for medication-related problems. The objectives for this study were to describe medication-related problems identified through CoMM and drug classes involved in problems. This 12-month pilot study used dispensing and clinical records from a single independent U.S. community pharmacy. Clinical records contain medication-related problems documented by the pharmacists. Problems identified for patients filling at least one prescription at the pharmacy and having at least one medication-related problem during the study period were included. A total of 8439 medication-related problems were identified for 1566 patients, an average of 5.4 problems per patient. Over 63% of problems were nonadherence. The drug class most often involved in problems was the central nervous system and analgesic class. Community pharmacists performing CoMM identified medication-related problems that might otherwise have gone undetected.
Highlights
Community pharmacists engaged in Continuous Medication Monitoring (CoMM) identified 8439 medication-related problems
The five drug classes most commonly involved in problems were central nervous system and analgesic, cardiovascular, anti-infective, respiratory, and endocrine, aligning with a UK study examining medication-related problems identified by community pharmacists where the prescriber was contacted for resolution [4]
The most common problem identified through CoMM was nonadherence, echoing the experiences of community pharmacists in Japan providing monthly home visits or phone calls to patients over age 40 with chronic conditions [5]
Summary
One-quarter of ambulatory patients taking a new medication experienced an adverse drug event [1]. Nonadherence to medication is well-documented [2]. Prospective drug utilization review (pro-DUR) by pharmacists is designed to detect medication-related problems by reviewing patients’ medication profiles for appropriateness prior to dispensing medication. There are some requirements for pharmacists to perform pro-DUR in the U.S, but the requirements are not consistent across the nation. Pro-DUR may not be performed for refills or for all patients. While pharmacists are expected to address problems identified during pro-DUR, documentation of problems is not usually required
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
