Diario de Farmacovigilancia

Abstracto

National Survey of Drug Information Centers Practice in Saudi Arabia: Medication-Use Evaluation System at Ministry of Health Hospitals

Alomi YA, Alghamdi SJ, Alattyh RA

Objective: To explore National Survey of Drug Information Centers practice in Saudi Arabia: With emphasis on Medication-Use Evaluation system at Ministry of Health hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional four months national survey of drug information services at MOH. It contained ten domains with 181 questions designed by the authors. It derived from Internal Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists best practice guidelines. This survey distributed to forty hospital pharmacies that run drug information services. In this study, the domain Medication-Use Evaluation System explored and analyzed. It consisted of eight questions about the written policy and procedure and application methods for Medication-Use Evaluation system in the drug information centers. All analysis is done through survey monkey system.

Results: The survey distributed to forty-five of hospitals, the response rate, was 40 (88.88%) hospitals. Of those, developedscreening mechanism (indicators) for comprehensive surveillance of the medications use system existed in 24 (60%) hospitals involved 25%-100% the elements. Establish criteria, guidelines, treatment protocols and standards of care for specific medications and medications use processes found in 26 (65%) hospitals applied 25%-100% the elements. Establish mechanisms for timely communication among health-care professionals exist in 23 (57.5%) hospitals found used 25%-100% the elements. Initiate the use of MUE criteria, guidelines, treatment protocols and standards of care in the medication-use process exist in 24 (60%) hospitals found applied 25%-100% the elements. Regularly assesses the effectiveness of the MUE process itself and makes needed improvements exist in 24 (60%) hospitals found used 25%-100% the elements.

Conclusion: There was an inadequate implementation of Medication-Use Evaluation in drug information centers practice. Establishing strategic planning for Medication-Use Evaluation system, choosing the high-cost and high-risk medications and educate drug information pharmacist. It improves Medication-Use Evaluation practice, prevents misuse of medicines, prevents drug misadventure and avoids the unnecessary additional cost.