DRUG RELATED PROBLEMS: A SYSTEMIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Drug related problems (DRPs) are one of the problems on the patients and can be defined as “an event or circumstance involving drug therapy that may actually or potentially interfere with desired health outcomes” (definition PCNE, 1999). it leads to the prolonging of hospital stay, pharmacoeconomic crisis and in some cases leads to the life threaten condition. The goal of drug therapy is to achieve defined therapeutic outcomes and improve the patient’s quality of life while minimizing the risk. But inappropriate use of drugs during disease management may lead to DRPs. Identification of common types of DRPs and common drugs involved in DRP is an important component of drug therapy and contributes to reduction of drug related morbidity and mortality .Various classification systems are used to classify the DRPs and to identify the nature of DRPs. Majority of studies conducted at different countries and in groups of patients showed higher prevalence of DRPs and identified various drugs and drug classes involved in DRP. Identifying the consequences of DRPs and determining its extent in the hospitalized patients will minimize those outcomes and improve their quality of life ,Clinical pharmacist has a major role in achieving these outcomes. This review article explains an overview of Drug related problems. Keywords: Drug related problems, Pharmacoeconomics, Quality of life, Morbidity and Mortality.