Assessment of Patients Admitted For Drug-Related Problems In Cancer Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES: The main objective was to study the chemotherapy drug- related hospital admissions in a tertiary care teaching hospital and to estimate the cost involved in the management of DRP's (Drug Related Problems) due to chemotherapy. METHODS: A prospective observational study was done over a period of 6 months. All patients admitted for supportive care management during the study period due to DRP were included in the study. Patients with chemotherapy drug-related admissions were prospectively identified from the patient's medical records. The contribution of DRPs and cost incurred due to each hospitalization was assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS ® 20.0 version. RESULTS: Out of 55 patients analyzed Drug-Related Problems (DRPs) were commonly observed in the age group of 51-60 years 25 (45.5%). The frequently occurring DRP was Adverse Drug Reactions 42 (76.4%) which was noticed more in females. Majority of the DRPs were caused by alkylating agents 8(14.5%) and the least by hormonal agents 8(14.5%). The mean length of hospitalization was found to be 9.6±6.5 days. Pharmacoeconomic evaluation for total direct medical cost and total direct non medical cost was performed. The total direct medical cost was found to be Rs. 31540 ± 42476. Medicine costs Rsl6550± 25404 accounted for a major share of the total medical costs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed DRPs is high in elderly patients and among patients with breast cancer. Adverse drug reactions were the predominately identified problem among the DRPs and were reported to be high in females. Medicine charges accounted for a major share among direct medical cost. Direct non-medical charges such as transportation charges and food charges added on to the financial burden of patients with cancer. Pharmacist can provide better patient care by identifying and preventing DRPs and reducing drug-related morbidity and mortality.