NCJ Number
119502
Date Published
1989
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This document reviews the implementation plans proposed by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) for the drug utilization review (DUR) system required to be established under the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988.
Abstract
Seven different pharmacy systems were examined to determine how they compare with the provisions specified under the Act. The focus was specifically on the extent to which these DUR systems could identify adverse reactions that may result from the interaction of the prescribed drug with one or several other drugs, a known allergy, a known physical condition or illness present in the beneficiary, or over-the-counter drugs; incorrect dosages; and under- and over-utilization of the prescribed drug. Also focused upon were the types of drug and patient data, which included the drug name, dosages, quantities, methods of administration, last date dispensed, and information on diagnosis/condition. It was found that all the attributes of a DUR system and the patient profile information of interest were currently available in at least some operating DUR systems. Issues of data security were dealt with by all systems.