Objective To analyze the rationality of emergency medication in the West China Hospital after Lushan earthquake based on the actual drug use of earthquake victims. Methods We applied DDDs and DUI as evaluation index, input data using Excel software, and analyzed if the emergency medication was required for the injury/illness and the rationality of emergency medication. Results Earthquake victims mainly had trauma and wound infection and they were given antibiotics as main treatment one week after the earthquake. Drugs for the respiratory system and digestive system were mainly used in patients who mainly manifested as non-traumatic diseases and internal diseases four weeks after the earthquake. Among 49 kinds of drugs which could be calculated for the value of DUI, injection accounted for a larger proportion than non-injection (59.18% vs. 40.82%). The results showed that, the medication (DUI=1) only accounted for 12.24%; the medication (DUIlt;1, Mean=0.65) accounted for 38.78%, which implied insufficient drug use; the medication (DUIgt;1, Mean=1.77) accounted for 46.94%, which implied drug overuse. Conclusion Medication for every system is basically timely and rational when treating symptoms and causes in the West China Hospital within one month after Lushan earthquake. However, the rationality of emergency medications using DUI=1 under normal conditions still needs to be further verified.
Objective To analyze drug use for 23 sick and wounded hospitalized in the departments of gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatrics in the West China Second University Hospital, during one month after Lushan earthquake, so as to provide references for the drug use for the sick and wounded women and children. Methods Medication information was retrospectively investigated in the departments of gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatrics in the West China Second University Hospital during one month after Lushan earthquake. We extracted data including hospitalization duration, medication prescriptions, types and costs of essential medicines, types and costs of antibiotic medicines using the HIS system. Discharge diagnosis was standardized and classified according to ICD-10. Indicators of rational drug use included defined daily dose (DDD), defined daily dose statistic (DDDs), drug utilization index (DUI), children defined daily dose (cDDD), children drug utilization index (cDUI), proportion of essential medicines, proportion of antibiotic medicines, mismatch of medicine and diagnosis, repeated drug use, improper combination of drug, incorrect usage and dosage, and frequently drug change. Medication information was evaluated and discussed by the prescription working group. Discrepency was resolved by consulting with the panel. Results A total of 23 sick and wounded women and children were assessed during one month after Lushan Earthquake. There were 13 sick and wounded children in the department of pediatrics (mainly manifested as bronchial pneumonia) and 10 sick and wounded women in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics (mainly involved in cesarean delivery). Proportions of essential medicines were 13/13 in the department of pediatrics and 9/10 in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics. Proportions of antibiotic medicines were 10/13 in the department of pediatrics and 8/10 in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics. Irrational drug use was mainly caused by improper use of antibiotics. Conclusion The drug use for 23 hospitalized sick and wounded is rational in the departments of gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatrics in the West China Second University Hospital during one month after Lushan earthquake. Evaluation methods of rational drug use in high-risk population are urgently needed. Using cDDD and cDUI is an active exploration for the evaluation of pediatric drug use, which needs more practice to test and improve.
Objective To investigate the spectrum of diseases and the current situation of antibiotic use in rural hospitals and community health service centers in Chengdu, so as to provide evidence for selecting essential medicines and promoting rational use of antibiotics. Method We selected 7 township/community health institutions, from which we collected inpatient and outpatient information. Information about antibiotic use was also collected, including categories, cost, and dosage. A standard questionnaire was used to investigate physicians’ prescription behavior for principal diseases. Result Urban and rural areas had different spectrums of diseases. The major diseases in urban areas included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory tract infection; while those in rural areas were infectious diseases of the respiratory system, digestive system, and urinary system. The physicians’ prescription behavior was mainly based on their personal experience. Antibiotics accounted for 30-50% of the total medicine cost. The top four types of antibiotics with the highest cost were cephalosporins, penicillin, quinolones, and macrolides. Conclusion Based on the different spectrums of diseases, essential drug lists and standard treatment guidelines appropriate for rural health care should be developed to improve the rational use of drugs. Factors such as the average cost of daily dose and the course of treatment should be taken into consideration to reduce the overall cost of medicine. An antimicrobial resistance monitoring system and special training courses on rational use of antibiotics should be utilized in the rural health institutions.
Objective Inappropriate drug dosage is a serious problem in pediatrics, mainly due to the lack of clinical evidence in children, suitable preparation formulation, and standardized methods for dose adjustment. A method for evaluating and monitoring appropriate dosage in pediatrics is urgently needed. The drug utilization index (DUI) based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) has been widely used in the assessment of appropriate dosage in adults. We explored possible methods for assessing appropriate dosage in children. Methods Based on our previous studies, we discuss cDUI in the assessment of appropriate dosage in children as follows: the meaning of cDDD, the establishment of a standardized system, and the classified evaluation of dosage in pediatrics. Results Although the definition of cDDD draws on the concept of defined daily dose (DDD), the meaning of cDDD is different from that of the latter. Specifically, the purpose of cDDD is to evaluate appropriate pediatric dose, while DDD is a unit of measurement. cDDD could be used to assess dose rationality for common and serious pediatric diseases, and would be refined over time. A single cDDD should be assigned per drug and indication and given per drug and route of administration. The influence of age, weight, diagnosis, and administration route on the dosage should be considered. Classified evaluation should be used and weight should be given to the above mentioned factors in order to evaluate the appropriate dose objectively and comprehensively. Conclusion Dosage regulation in pediatrics has an important role in improving medical quality and protecting the safety, effectiveness, and economy of medical therapy in children. The establishment of a cDUI system is a good try in pediatric dosage evaluation. Although there are still defects within this proposed system and methodology, the principle seems feasible.
Objective To investigate the awareness of rational use of drug (RUD) on medical workers in hospitals of different ranks, the establishment and execution of relevant strategies in hospitals of different ranks, and the main factors affecting RUD on medical workers, so as to provide references for the generalization of RUD. Methods A certain number of different ranks of hospitals in Chengdu and Zigong were randomly selected by the convenience sample method. Medical workers in each hospital were selected through face-to-face interviews with a self-designed questionnaire. Monte Carlo Chi-square analysis was applied on the hospital ranks and formulation of RUD guidelines, and logistic regression analysis was performed on the awareness of RUD knowledge of the respondents. Results Among 700 questionnaires distributed, 672 were retrieved (response rate 96.0%). The numbers of respondents who were familiar with the Pharmaceutical Affairs Councils (PACs) as well as the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees (PTCs) were 217 (32.29%) and 83 (12.35%), respectively. The number of respondents who understood the concept of essential medicine was 502 (74.71%). A total of 441 (61.16%) medical workers had been trained on RUD, 199 (29.61%) medical workers denied there were PTCs in their hospitals, and 60.71% of the medical workers mentioned that the use of drug was monitored and controlled with the feedback in their hospitals. The result of logistic regression analysis indicated that the professional title (P=0.038), awareness of essential medicine (Plt;0.001) and participation of RUD training (P=0.008) were the factors influencing the awareness of RUD. Conclusion Both management and education should be executed at the same time to elevate the level of rational use of drug. In order to increase the level of RUD we should complete monitoring institution and improving RUD awareness of workers. Additionally enhancing the rationality of medication should be performed by establishing guidelines of treatment or medication. Improving personal knowledge, scientific information and medication custom should be performed by standardizing regulations, strengthening management, emphasizing education and promoting communication between doctors and patients.
Objectives To analyze the development and implementation of the national drug policy in order to provide decision-making for the establishment of the Chinese national drug policy. Methods Nineteen electronic databases, the WHO, the World Bank, and governmental websites were included in this study. A pre-designed data extraction form was used to collect information. The data were analyzed and described by a pre-designed analytic framework. Result A total of 182 studies were included in this review. The main points of common concern in the national drug policy were: drug regulation and quality assurance, rational use of drugs, drug supply, the selection of essential drugs, human resource development and training, traditional medicine, drug financing and affordability, drug research, monitoring and assessment of the nation drug policy, technical cooperation, and the national pharmaceutical industry. The selection of essential drugs, quality assurance, supply, pricing, and supply of traditional medicine were gradually carried out in China. Pharmaceutical research, monitoring and evaluation, as well as the development of pharmaceutical industry and technical cooperation within it should be further strengthened. Conclusion China should establish related organizations and working procedures; speed up the implementation of the legislation of national drug policy; integrate the mechanism of essential drugs selection and supply system; regulate the order of medicine production and regulation; establish scientific and reasonable pricing mechanisms for drugs and assessment systems; strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of national drug policy and update and improve the national drug policy.
Objective To provide the evidence on the selection and related policies of essential medicine for policy-makers through systematic review of the National Essential Medicine List(NEML) around the world. Method We systematically searched the official websites of the health authorities, like the departments of health and pharmaceutical administrations. We selected the published NEML. Two reviewers independently selected literature and extracted data. We analyzed the time of NEML published and updated, NEML committees, selection criteria, medicine category, number of medicines, and medicine information in NEML and standard treatment guidelines (STGs) as well. Results Thirty-six NEMLs from 25 countries were included with 34 in English and 2 in Chinese. From 1982 to 2009, Twenty-five countries developed their NEMLs respectively. They were updated from four months to eight years. The NEML committee members came from central government, ministry of health, pharmaceutical administrations, ministry of public health, ministry of education, essential medicine division, etc. The committees were composed of clinical specialists, health officials, pharmacists (pharmacologists), medicine educators, economist, statisticians, epidemiologist and experts from WHO/UNICEF, etc. Most of the countries took the WHO’s concept of essential medicine and selection criteria as standard. The applications of essential medicine were reviewed by considering the following aspects: safety, effectiveness, economic characteristics, the main disease burden, rational use of drug and supply. The medicines in NEMLs of 25 countries varied from 103 to 2 033, and the median is 447. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification was used to classify the medicines in NEMLs of 12 countries. The drug information was provided, including generic name, dosage, form of medication and administration route as well. The STGs or formularies covered from 73 to 167 common diseases, including the diagnosis, treatments, rational use of drug, contraindications, adverse effects, etc. Conclusions The NEMLs in 25 countries have shown great differences because of the variation of the social and economic developments, disease burdens and the developments of health care systems in different countries. We can learn from the experience of other countries, like Australia and South Africa, in the selection and use of essential medicines, STGs and related policies. We should develop the national essential medicine system for policy making and administration, especially the national essential medicine list for common diseases base on the high quality evidence, the local disease burden as well as specific demands in different areas.
Objective The Chengdu initiative essential medicine policy is part of the Special Healthcare Program of Comprehensive Reform for Coordinated and Balanced Urban-rural Development. We aimed to investigate the current situation of medicine use in rural hospitals and community health service centers, so as to provide evidence for policy-makers to select essential medicines and facilitate rational use of medicines. Method We selected 7 township/community health institutions from which to collect medicine use information, including medicine category, number of medicine categories, cost and consumption. Descriptive analysis and the ABC classification method were applied for statistical analysis. Results The number of medicine categories used in the community health institutions was four times greater than that in the township health institutions. Traditional Chinese medicine preparations accounted for 40% of the total medicine cost. Polypharmacy, overuse of injections, and improper use of antibiotics were major manifestations of the irrational use of medicines. Conclusion The selection and use of essential medicines should be base on high quality evidence as well disease burden, the economic situation and specific demands in different areas. Drug and therapeutics committees should be set up to perform dynamic monitoring, education, evaluation and continual improvement of an essential medicines list.
Objective To evaluate the rationality of drug treatment for cardiovascular diseases in aged people and the effects of evidence-based practice. Methods Descriptive study was conducted to compare the therapies for the patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases before and after evidence-based practice by investigating drug use during 1998-1999 (211 cases) and 2002-2003 (211 cases). Results Among antihypertensive drugs, the ACEIs and diuretics played a more important role than before. CCBs and ACEIs were still the most frequently used drugs, and drug combination was more common, comparing to that before evidence-based practice. Lipid lowering drugs and ACEIs were used more common in coronary heart disease. Quality of life of patients was more emphasized and combination use of anti-anxiety drugs was adopted. When treating heart failure, β-receptor blockers, aldadinc and ACEIs were more frequently used. Conclusions After evidence-based practice, drug use is much more based on evidence instead of experience and textbook. As a result, the rate of reaching ideal blood pressure is higher than before. The rate of rational drug use before and after evidence-based practice has increased from 42% to 78%, respectively.
Objective To explore the change of constitution in thyroid diseases of West China Hospital between 2000 and 2012， in order to provide clinical evidence. Methods Clinical data， including gender， age， and pathological diagnosis of patients with thyroid disease who underwent primary thyroid surgery in our hospital from 2000 to 2012 were collected retrospectively and analyzed statistically. Results A total of 9 642 patients were enrolled， including 1 893 male patients and 7 749 female patients. The ratio of male to female patients was 1 to 4.09. In male patients， the proportion of thyroid carcinoma were significantly higher than those of female group （P=0.02）；in male patients younger than 45 group， the proportion of thyroid carcinoma were significantly higher than those of female group （P＜0.01）. There was no statistical difference on the proportion between male and female patients older than 45 group （P=0.90）. Proportion of thyroid carcinoma， especially proportion of papillary thyroid carcinoma （PTC） increased in general. Proportion of Hashimoto thyroiditis （HT） increased in general too. HT with thyroid carcinoma accounted for an increasing proportion of all patients with HT. Proportion of nodular goiter （NG） increased at first and then declined. Proportion of thyroid adenoma （TA） decreased on the whole. Conclusions Proportion of thyroid carcinoma， especially proportion of PTC increase in recent years on the whole in patients underwent surgery. All these changes need to be given sufficient attention.