Korean J Clin Pharm.  2022 Sep;32(3):215-225. 10.24304/kjcp.2022.32.3.215.

Cost Avoidance and Clinical Pharmacist Interventions on Hospitalized Patients in Hematologic malignancies

• Kim YS
• Hong SY
• Kim YH
• Choi KS
• Lee JH
• Lee JY
• Lee E

• KMID: 2533901
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24304/kjcp.2022.32.3.215

Abstract

Background
Patients with hematologic cancers have a risk of drug-related problems (DRPs) from medications associated with chemotherapy and supportive care. Although the role of oncology pharmacists has been widely documented in the literature, few studies have reported its impact on cost reduction. This study aimed to describe the activities of oncology pharmacists with respect to hematologic diseases and evaluate the associated cost avoidance.
Methods
From January to July 2021, patients admitted to the department of hemato-oncology at Seoul National University, Bundang Hospital were studied. The activities of oncology pharmacists were reported by DRP type following the Pharmaceutical Care Network version 9.1 guidelines, and the acceptance rate was calculated. The avoided cost was estimated based on the cost of the pharmacy intervention, pharmacist manpower, and prescriptions associated with the intervention.
Results
Pharmacists intervened in 584 prescriptions from 208 patients during the study period. The most prevalent DRP was “adverse drug event (possibly) occurring” (32.4%), followed by “effect of drug treatment not optimal” (28.6%). “Drug selection” (42.5%) and “dose selection” (30.3%) were the most common causes of DRPs. The acceptance rate of the interventions was 97.1%. The total avoidance cost was KRW 149,468,321; the net profit of the avoidance cost, excluding labor costs, was KRW 121,051,690; and the estimated cost saving was KRW 37,223,748.
Conclusion
Oncology pharmacists identified and resolved various types of DRPs from prescriptions for patients with hematologic disease, by reviewing the prescriptions. Their clinical service contributed to enhanced patient safety and the avoidance of associated costs.

Keyword

Clinical pharmacist; inappropriate prescribing; pharmacy service; hospital economics