[Evaluation of the electronic consultation tool between primary care pharmacists and general practitioner for...

To assess the effectiveness of the electronic interconsultation between primary care pharmacists and physicians (PC-PC e-consultation) in resolving drug-related problems (DRPs) and potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs).

A quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted in a healthcare area located in northwestern Spain, serving approximately 450,000 inhabitants. DRPs and PIPs were predefined as duplications and inappropriate treatment regimens within two therapeutic subgroups: inhaled drugs used in asthma/COPD, and the antidiabetic agents DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT-2 inhibitors. The presence of DRPs and PIPs was identified using a computerized tool for analyzing prescription billing data (SIAC-PF), and interventions were carried out through e-consultations between primary care professionals. All patients identified at the time of data extraction were included in the study. The mean age was 71.1±13.3 years, and 56.8% were male. The resolution of the identified problems was assessed after one or two interventions.

The SIAC-PF system identified 242 patients with at least one predefined DRP or PIP, of whom 227 were included in the study. The presence of DRPs/PIPs was confirmed in 171 of the 227 patients (75.33%). The PC-PC e-consultation resolved DRPs/PIPs in 136 of the 162 patients in whom this tool was applied (83.95%). Following the e-consultation, a statistically significant reduction was observed in the proportion of patients with DRPs/PIPs among the total study population (n=227) compared with the pre-e-consultation period (P<0.01, McNemar test).

The PC-PC e-consultation appears to be an effective tool for resolving DRPs and PIPs. The SIAC-PF system provides valid detection, although subsequent clinical review is required.