How to integrate drug Information: Korea Drug Utilization Review System

Introduction: Korea adopts a National Health Insurance System (NHIS). Under the NHIS, one of the biggest challenges is to find a way to provide affordable, yet high-quality healthcare services to citizens. This report introduces the process of establishing Korea's drug utilization review service and discusses lessons learned from the achievements.

Short description of practice change implemented: The NHIS of Korea where there is no concept of family doctor separates doctor's prescription and pharmacist's dispensing. In the clinical setting, the doctor should confirm patient's medication history during consultation of the patient. But, it is difficult to confirm the characteristics and precautions of medicines with statements of patients (non-experts) only.

Aim and theory of change: By integrating the medication history of the patient, physicians receive warnings in real time, upon entry of drug orders, if a risk factor to the patient is detected. It is a form of online clinical decision support.

Target population and stakeholders: The whole population and approximately 80,000 healthcare providers.

Timeline:

- 2008: Safety checks on medicines in a single prescription

- 2009: Safety checks on medicines in two or more prescriptions issued by a single provider

- 2010: Safety checks of medicines in two or more prescriptions issued by multiple providers.

- 2015: Enforcement through an amendment of related law

Highlights: Saved over 17.96 million USD dollars per year and prevented 5.4 million cases of unsafe use of drugs in prescription.

Comments on sustainability: Patient safety improvements and NHIS budget savings

Comments on transferability:  Reliable broadband network communication and stakeholders’ cooperation are needed.

Conclusions: If information technology is used appropriately to realize integrated medical care, clinical decision support services can achieve better outcomes in more cost effective manner.

Discussion: More applicable fields should be identified.