Performance Of The Medication Counseling Center In Manipal Teaching Hospital: A Follow Up Study
1319-1325
Correspondence
Kadir Alam M.Pharm,Lecturer, Dept of Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy/Pharmacology Manipal Teaching Hospital/ Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, (Nepal). E mail: alamkad2050@yahoo.com Phone: 00977-61-526420
Objective: Non-compliance to drug therapy is a common problem worldwide. Providing counseling to the patients regarding their medication is a better means to improve patient compliance. The present study evaluated the performance of the Medication counseling center in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal.
Methods: The filled medication counseling documentation forms during the period of three years (September 2004 to September 2007) were analyzed. The data obtained were entered in a Microsoft Excel spread sheet and were analyzed.
Results: Altogether, 1105 patients were counseled (as per the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act -1990 guidelines) by the center from September 2004 till August 2007. Females comprised 51% of the patients who received counseling. Nearly half of the counseled patients were from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Nasal spray was the most commonly used counseling aid (44.48 %). A majority of patients were counseled regarding the dosage form of the medication (97.29%), the dosage regimen (96.38%), the description of the medicine (96.02%), the route of administration (95.84%), duration of therapy (90.41%) and storage conditions (80.45%). Nearly 6-10 minutes were spent while counseling one third of the patients. In general, patients with modified drug delivery system, such as the metered dose inhaler and dry powder inhalers, were counseled more frequently.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the Medication counseling center in the Manipal Teaching Hospital plays an important role in educating the patients regarding safe and effective use of their medications.
Practice Implications: In resource limited countries like Nepal, pharmacists can provide counseling to the patients through medication counseling centers. This may in turn improve patient adherence, which is one of the common causes for therapeutic failures in countries like Nepal.