Retrospective Drug Utilization Review

An effective method of ensuring the ongoing quality of an organization’s drug policies can begin with a look backward. UMass Medical School’s Clinical Pharmacy Services often has clients ask for a retrospective drug utilization review (Retro DUR) when questions arise about the efficacy of medications within a class or when clinical guidelines are being updated.

While prospective drug utilization review (DUR), also offered by Clinical Pharmacy Services, aims to control drug utilization at the point of sale, Retro DUR reduces drug costs by ensuring appropriate use of medications. Clients can use Retro DUR studies to look at the following:

• Areas of possible intervention
• Results of prior authorization changes
• Results of interventions
• Analysis of current prescribing trends

Our Retro DUR services look at individual patient histories and ask a series of questions:

• What drugs is the patient taking?
• What diseases or conditions does the patient have?
• What medications is the patient taking for which disease?
• What is the patient’s medical history?
  

The level of intervention is driven by the client’s goals. Clinical Pharmacy Services is prepared to offer suggestions and provide insight as to which interventions may be best to help the client achieve those goals.

Our clinical pharmacists track and report on the results of the Retro DUR program at regular intervals. Outcomes may include changes in the following:

• Prescribing habits
• Cost-savings
• Clinical outcomes