Monitoring and evaluating of the implementation of non-essential drug prescribing criteria measure in case of lipid-regulating drugs

Abstract

Introduction: In Fiscal year 2013, the Comptroller General’s Department (CGD), Thailand had launched the Non-essential Drug Prescription Criteria (NPC) measure and the Working Group for Determining the Practice Guideline and Indication of High Cost Non-essential Drug (WGFPG) had launched the recommendation on indication for high cost non-essential drug to encourage the rational drug use and control drug cost for patients under the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS) in 168 public hospitals. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the complying with the NPC measure and rationality of non-essential drug prescribing in statin group. Methods: A retrospective descriptive was studied by gathering the information about NPC measure in the electronic database and detail about clinical presentation, drug utilization and other related data supporting the use of non-essential drug in themedical records of the out-patients with CSMBS who received NED in statin group from Srinagarind Hospital between August 1st and September 30th, 2014. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistic. Results:There were 336 patients recruited in the study. Prescribing was complied with the measure in 114 cases (33.9%) and non-complied with the measure in 83 cases (24.7%). Prescribing was rationale in 47 cases (14.0%) and irrational in 264 cases (78.6%). Data could be assessed about complying and rationality in 139 cases (41.4%) and 25 cases (7.4%), respectively. Conclusion:Prescribing of NED in statin group was mostly non-complied with the NPC measure and the recommendation on indication for high cost non-essential drug. Therefore, some policy and incentive should be provided to improvethe complying with control measure and the rationality of drug use.