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Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

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Can the selection and use of essential medicines decrease inappropriate drug use?

M M Reidenberg¹

¹Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA. mmreid@med.cornell.edu

Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

|May 20, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates half of all medicines are misused. Implementing an essential medicines list can improve prescribing practices and reduce inappropriate drug use globally.

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Area of Science:

Pharmacoeconomics
Public Health Policy
Drug Utilization

Background:

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 50% of medicines are inappropriately prescribed, dispensed, sold, or consumed.
Suboptimal medication use leads to increased healthcare costs and adverse health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the impact of utilizing an essential medicines list on prescribing practices.
To advocate for a comprehensive approach to reduce inappropriate drug use.

Main Methods:

Analysis of prescribing patterns and drug utilization.
Review of administrative strategies to manage drug lists.

Main Results:

Selection from a curated list of essential medicines can decrease inappropriate prescribing by limiting the use of less effective or more toxic alternatives.
Prescribers gain a deeper understanding of a smaller formulary, potentially improving medication safety.

Conclusions:

Implementing the essential medicines concept is a viable strategy to decrease inappropriate drug use.
Overcoming limitations such as restricted prescribing of unlisted drugs and delays in updating the list requires administrative action.
A global, committed approach is necessary to effectively eliminate inappropriate medication practices.