What does a prospective drug utilization review (DUR) aim to identify?

A prospective drug utilization review (DUR) specifically focuses on identifying potential drug therapy problems at the point of sale before the medication is dispensed to the patient. This process involves examining the prescribed medication against various criteria, such as ensuring the appropriateness of the drug for the patient's diagnosis, checking for drug interactions or contraindications, and assessing the dosage and therapeutic duplications. By carrying out this review prior to dispensing, pharmacists can intervene proactively to prevent medication errors and ensure safe and effective therapy.

In this context, it is essential to understand that while patterns of drug abuse, chronic disease management issues, and patient adherence are significant aspects of overall medication management and patient care, they are not the primary focus of a prospective DUR. Instead, prospective DUR is concentrated on the immediate evaluation of the medication therapy being prescribed to detect and resolve issues that might lead to adverse patient outcomes before they occur.