Reduction of Medical Cost through Pharmaceutical Inquiries by Community Pharmacists and Relation with <i>Iyaku Bungyo</i> Rates: A Nationwide Survey on Prescription Inquiries

Shikamura Yoshiaki, Mano Yasunari, Komoda Masayo, Negishi Kenichi, Sato Tsugumichi, Miyazaki Satoru

doi:10.1248/yakushi.16-00024

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薬局薬剤師の疑義照会による医療費削減効果及び医薬分業率との関連性<br/>—全国薬局疑義照会調査—
薬局薬剤師の疑義照会による医療費削減効果及び医薬分業率との関連性 : 全国薬局疑義照会調査
ヤッキョクヤクザイシノギギショウカイニヨルイリョウヒサクゲンコウカオヨビイヤクブンギョウリツトノカンレンセイ : ゼンコクヤッキョクギギショウカイチョウサ

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Abstract

This nationwide survey aimed to evaluate reduction of drug and medical costs due to prevention of serious adverse drug reactions through pharmaceutical inquires by community pharmacist, and investigate relation with iyaku bungyo (separation of dispensing from medical practice) rates. Using the national list of pharmacies, 10% of pharmacies were randomly selected by prefecture and asked to participate in an Internet-based survey. The survey period was 7 days, from July 21 to July 27, 2015. Of the 5575 pharmacies queried, 818 responded to the survey (response rate: 14.7%). The proportion of inquiries to total prescriptions was 2.6%. Among these, the proportion of prescriptions changed in response to inquiry was 74.9%. An estimated 103 million yen was saved by reducing drug costs, and 133 million yen was saved by reducing medical costs due to prevention of serious adverse drug reactions. Comparison of prescription change rates between pharmacies with high and low iyaku bungyo rates indicated that the proportion of prescriptions changed was significantly higher in pharmacies with high iyaku bungyo rates than in those with low iyaku bungyo rates (78.2% vs. 69.9%, p<0.01). The findings suggest that inquiries about prescriptions are useful in ensuring the safety of pharmacotherapy and reducing the cost of healthcare. They also suggest that iyaku bungyo promotes prescription changes through inquiries, leading to proper use of pharmaceutical products.<br>

Journal

YAKUGAKU ZASSHI

YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 136 (9), 1263-1273, 2016

The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

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