Abstract

A REVIEW ON DRUG UTILIZATION EVALUATION OF ANALGESICS

Rukzana Bisar* and Dhanya Dharman

Abstract

Drug Utilization Reviews (DUR), also referred to as Drug Utilization Evaluations (DUE) or Medication Utilization Evaluations (MUE), are defined as an authorized, structured, ongoing review of healthcare provider prescribing, pharmacist dispensing, and patient use of medication. DURs involve a comprehensive review of patients' prescription and medication data before, during, and after dispensing to ensure appropriate medication decision making and positive patient outcomes. Studies on the process of drug utilization focus on factors related to prescribing, dispensing, administering and taking of medication, and its associated events. Drug utilization data are available from databases- computerized or otherwise. Importance of drug utilization studies in pharmacoepidemiology has been increasing due to their close association to other areas like- public health, pharmacovigilance, pharmacoeconomics and pharmacogenetics. This review article highlights various aspects, scope, types and importance of DU studies.

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