Community-Pharmacy based Trials for Drug Dose Adjustment in which Pharmacists Evaluate Renal Function

Abstract

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), cautious drug dose adjustment is required as adverse effects including drug-induced acute kidney injury or drug intoxication may occur when an inappropriate dose of medicine is administered. We herein performed family-pharmacy based trials for drug dose adjustment in which pharmacists evaluate renal function of the patients using a hearing survey. In our group it was revealed that 50.3% of the outpatients have impaired renal function as their average eGFR was below 60 mL/min / 1.73 m², and suggested that we need to confirm the degree of their renal insufficiency in the dispensing work. The ratio of inquiry for prescribed medicine from pharmacists to doctors was 3.3%, and 53.2% of these inquired prescriptions was readjusted, indicating this inquiry system potentially contributed to appropriate medication. The role of family pharmacies is considered to be important in the inspection of prescribed drugs for the patients with impaired renal function who visit multiple clinics, and is expected to be the last bastion as the inspector for safe administration of drugs.