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1. Introduction
A Medication Use Evaluation (MUE), or Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) program
is a planned, criteria-based systematic process for monitoring, evaluating, and
continually improving medication use, with the ultimate aim of improving
medication-related outcomes for a group of patients or consumers [1]
MUE is called by different terms namely drug utilization review, drug usage
review, drug use review, drug use evaluation, and drug utilization evaluation.
It is an important component of health care organizations quality
improvement program. The goal of MUE is to provide all patients with the
most rational, safe, and effective drug therapy through the assessment and
improvement of specific medication use processes. MUE may focus on a
specific medication, a class of medications; medications used in the
management of a specific disease state or clinical setting, medications related
to a clinical event, a specific component of the medication use process, or can
be based on specific outcomes [2].
The demand for and hence the cost of health care are increasing in all
countries as the improvement and sophistication of health technologies
increase. Medicines form a small but significant proportion of total health care
costs and one that has been growing consistently as new medicines are
marketed. Many governments are focusing their activities on promoting the
effective and economic use of resources allocated to health care [3].
The results of the HOPE study suggested that the prescription of an ACE
inhibitor (Ramipril) prevents complications of diabetes mellitus and had wider
benefits in reducing the incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke, overt
nephropathy as well as cardiovascular and all-cause mortality [11].
1.3 Objectives
General objective:
To evaluate the prescription patterns and cost of illness of type 2 diabetic
patients.
Specific objectives:
1. To determine the trends in drug use patterns among patients with type
2 diabetes.
2. To evaluate the prescription pattern of antihypertensive medications in
type 2 diabetic patients.
3. To evaluate the pattern of lipid lowering therapy in type 2 diabetic
patients.
4. To determine the cost of illness (COI) for diabetic inpatients.