Pharmacist intervention in drug-related problems for patients with cardiovascular diseases in selected community pharmacies in Northern Cyprus

Laika Gökçekuş,Bilgen Basgut,Arijana Mestrovic

doi:10.4314/tjpr.v15i10.29

Laika Gökçekuş, Bilgen Basgut + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v15i10.29

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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the role of the community pharmacist in identifying, preventing and resolving drug related problems (DRPs) encountered by patients, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular drugs in community pharmacies in Northern Cyprus, Turkey. Methods: A prospective observational study for the assessment of DRPs and pharmacist interventions in cardiovascular diseases patients was conducted over a period of four months at four community pharmacies in North Cyprus. Interventions were then evaluated and classified using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe PCNE DRP classification tool V6.2. Results: It was determined that 63 % of patients requiring intervention had problems related to drug use linked to existing diseases. The most common cause of DRPs was adverse drug reactions (ADR, 54 %), while the most common reason for DRPs in this group, ‘Others’ (54 %), was significantly (p < 0.0001); ‘Others’ included compliance problems and unclassified complaints. All patients were counseled. Sixty three percent of the encountered DRPs were completely resolved after intervention; the outcome of the intervention was unknown in 36 % of the patients, but the problem could not be solved in only 1 %. Conclusion: Adverse drug reactions are the most common DRPs in patients with cardiovascular disease. Pharmacist intervention is effective in reducing the level of DRPs. Keywords: Drug related problems (DRPs), Adverse drug reactions (ADRs), Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE), Community pharmacists, Intervention, Cardiovascular diseases

Highlights

Drug related problem (DRP) is defined as ‘an event or circumstance involving drug treatment that interferes with the patient acquiring an optimum outcome of the treatment’
medication error (ME) refers to the mistakes in the process that could lead to problems, while DRP can originate during prescribing, dispensing or taking/administering medicines
Out of the 100 patients used in this study, 80 DRPs were found, and more than one DRP was detected at a time in 20 patients

Summary

Introduction

Drug related problem (DRP) is defined as ‘an event or circumstance involving drug treatment that interferes with the patient acquiring an optimum outcome of the treatment’ This definition includes medication errors encountered in the period from prescribing to dispensing, implementation of the medication and adverse drug reactions (ADR) [1]. ME refers to the mistakes in the process that could lead to problems, while DRP can originate during prescribing, dispensing or taking/administering medicines Even though it is not always noticed, drug use problems by the patient are probably the most frequent ones. There are several classifications for drug related problem, but in this study the classification of the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) is used to clarify the concepts [2] Both physicians and pharmacists are responsible for the medication errors in irrational drug use, while patient adherence is very important in terms of accurately maintaining treatment. Both in the community and in hospitals, pharmacists are critical health care professionals to ensure the appropriate use of medicines [4]

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