Effectiveness of medication review on the number of drug-related problems in patients visiting the outpatient cardiology clinic: A randomized controlled trial

Aims To assess the effectiveness of medication review on the number of drug-related problems (DRPs) in outpatient cardiology patients. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, a computer-assisted and pharmacist-led medication review with patient involvement (questionnaire and telephone call with pharmacist) was conducted in intervention patients prior to their visit to the cardiologist. The control group received usual care. Adult outpatient cardiology patients without support concerning the administration of medication, without a medication review in the past 6 months and who gave permission to access their electronic medication record were included. The primary outcome measure was the number of DRPs 1 month after the visit. Secondary outcome measures concerned the type of DRP and the type of medication involved in the DRPs. Results In total, 75 patients (mean [standard deviation, SD] age 66.0 [12.5] years, 41% female) were included. Intervention (n = 90) and control group (n = 85) were comparable at baseline. The mean (SD) number of drugs used per patient was 7.9 (3.9). After 1 month, the mean (SD) number of DRPs was 0.3 (0.7) and 0.8 (1.0) and the median (range) number of DRPs was 0 (0-4) and 0 (0-4) in the intervention group and control group, respectively (P < .001). In the intervention group, 74% of the DRPs identified at T0 were solved at T1 vs 14% in the control group. Conclusion This randomized controlled trial suggests that a pharmacist-led medication review in patients with a scheduled visit to the outpatient cardiology clinic decreases the number of DRPs.