Economic and clinical impact of a pharmacist managed i.v.-to-p.o conversion service for Omeprazole in DHQ Hospital Badin, Sindh Pakistan.

Abstract

Introduction

Safest and easy route of administering medicine is oral route. However most of patients admitted in hospital with severe infections are initially treated with intravenous route followed by oral route of administration. In this study we described that how pharmacist managed to convert i.v form of Omeprazole in oral form on patients in District Headquarter Hospital Badin, Sindh, Pakistan whom Omeprazole administer for different types of diagnosis.

Method

 Patients of any age or gender participated in a retrospective research. We gathered information from DHQ Badin's Health Management and Information System (HMIS). A Pharmacist examined each Omeprazole order throughout the intervention proactive conversion period and took appropriate action. Patients who switched from intravenous to oral omeprazole medication had their total cost of omeprazole computed.

 Results

Total 1152 patients received Omeprazole. Total 281 quantity of iv Omeprazole prescribed while 4241 quantity of oral omeprazole was prescribed. Total cost saved from intravenous to Oral Omeprazole therapy was 339280.

Conclusion

The pharmacist was able to lower the cost of both drug charges and overall hospital expenses by managing the IV to PO conversion service. This is compelling evidence in favor of the I.V. to PO service being implemented in Pakistan.

Key words: Omeprazole, Pharmacist, Pakistan.