| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 臨床藥學研究所 === 83 === This study was to assess the appropriateness of prescribing of antihyperlipidemic agents in a 800-bed medical center in southern Taiwan. A retrospective drug utilization evaluation was conducted via computer-based data and medical records.
There were 1458 pateints who had ever been prescribed antihyperlipidemic agents during April 1th 1994 to September 30th 1994. By random smpling, 350 patients became our study objects whose age were between five to eighty five years old. The usage guideline of antihyperlipidemic agents was defined by referring to literatures and specialists'' opinions. By reviewing the medical chart, all the related material was recorded from the date the antihyperlipidemic agent was firstly prescribed to December 31th 1994.
There were 222 patients (64.5%) treated with antihyperlipidemic agent fullfilled the indications of usage guideline. Howere, most of the cases were complied with the regulations of Governmental Insurance and Labor Insurance. The other 122 cases (35.5%) have failed to meet all the indications of the usage guideline. Only 102 patients (29.7%) had the baseline lipid profiles and 117 patients (34%) had the baseline liver function tests. A fewer cases had checked lipid profiles and liver function tests every three months during taking antihyperlipidemic agents. Twenty six cases (7.6%) had elevated liver function tests. Fourteen cases had been treated with combined antihyperlipidemic agents. Patients who had been prescribed antihyperlipidemic agents for more than one year were evaluated the effectiveness of pharmacologici therapy. The dosage of gernfibrozil, etofibrate, probucol and cholestyramine were found to be lower than recommended by general literature except lovastatin and pravastatin. Gernfibro-zil was the most frequently prescribed drug at the first time when antihyperlipidemic agents were considered.
This retrospective drug utilization evaluation revealed that a large proportion of antihyperlipidemic agents usage did not comply with general recommendations. Although the reasons for not satisfying usage guideline need to be further investigated. These findings may well serve as the basic for the quality management of drug use and cost containment of the medical expenses.
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