The Pattern of Prescription and Promotion of Medications for Arthritis Patients by Pharmacists in Korea

Kim, Hyun Ah; Kim, Sung Kyun; Seo, Young Il

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the pattern of prescription for arthritis patients by pharmacists and the side effects caused by it before the introduction of the new medical system of "the separation of prescribing and dispensing drugs", and 2) to analyze the proportion of arthritis patients who were persuaded to purchase anti-arthritis medication by pharmacists and the pattern of purchase after the introduction of the system.
METHODS
Before August 2000, 55 patients with arthritis who had a definitive history of taking anti-arthritis medication prescribed by pharmacists were evaluated by review of their medical records in terms of the sorts, dose, duration and the side effects of the medication. From March to December of 2001, patients visiting outpatient rheumatology clinic of the same institute was given a questionnaire regarding the purchase of anti-arthritis medicine recommended by pharmacists.
RESULTS
The mean duration of treatment with the medication prescribed by pharmacists was 6.43 years. NSAIDs were prescribed in 89.1% and more than 2 NSAIDs were prescribed in 69.4% of them. Corticosteroids were prescribed in 72.7%, and 60% of these were long-acting ones. 15 cases of diabetes mellitus, 8 cases of vertebral compression fracture, 20 cases of iatrogenic Cushing syndrome, and 2 cases of death from sepsis were identified. After the new system, 17.4% of outpatients reported that they purchased anti-arthritis medication recommended by pharmacists.
CONCLUSION
The extent of inappropriate prescription by pharmacists before the new system was profound and serious. Patients were found to be not free from the risk of exposing themselves to unnecessary and possibly harmful medication recommended by pharmacists even after the new system.