Optimization of health transformation plan by Drug Utilization Review strategy in a pediatric teaching hospital

Background Health transformation planwas implemented in 2014 in Iran with aim of reduce healthcare expenditures. Transformation plans always have financial impact on healthcare expenditures because of potential to increase the utilization. Drug utilization review is one of the effective solutions to explore consumption and improve rational use.This study evaluated the medicine utilization after health transformation with implementation of an evidence-based protocol in a tertiary hospital. Method This is a before- after study which was conducted in a tertiary children’s hospital with 400 beds in Iran. At first, costly medications were identified by ABC analysis in drug and therapeutic committee meetings of the hospital. Increased use of these medications was measured after the implementation of the health transformation plan. Then, the pattern of prescription, it’s appropriateness and impact of protocol implementation on the health expenditures reduction and rational use was evaluated. Results In the six-month period immediately following the implementation of the health transformation plan, initial estimates of usage showed that albumin, pantoprazole and Apotel® consumption increased by 31.9%, 22.6%, and 21.9%, respectively. Medical records of 6554 patients were evaluated for target medications. The frequency of inappropriate prescription reduced significantly from the first to the second phase for albumin (65.5%- 35.8%, P=0.001), pantoprazole (58.9%- 22%, P<0.001) and Apotel® (66%- 17%, P<0.001) respectively. Health expenditures also reduced significantly for albumin (P=0.003), pantoprazole (P=0.001) and acetaminophen (P<0.001) respectively. Conclusion Timely implementation of medication prescription protocols can provide health benefits to patients and cost savings to the health service provider that could lead the health transformation plan to reach the aim of reduction in health expenditures with rational use.