FPGEE for National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Practice Exam

In the context of DUR, which type occurs before dispensing a medication?

1. Concurrent DUR

2. Retrospective DUR

3. Prospective DUR

4. Follow-up DUR

The correct answer is: Prospective DUR

In the context of Drug Utilization Review (DUR), prospective DUR is the type that occurs before dispensing a medication. This process involves evaluating a patient's medication regimen prior to the actual dispensation to identify potential drug-related issues. These issues may include drug interactions, allergies, appropriate dosing, and contraindications, ensuring that any problems are addressed before the patient receives the medication. Prospective DUR is crucial in optimizing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing risks to the patient. It allows pharmacists to provide better clinical care by anticipating issues and making necessary adjustments, which ultimately fosters patient safety and enhances the efficacy of the medication therapy. The other types of DUR, while valuable, serve different purposes in the medication management process. For example, concurrent DUR assesses therapy while a patient is receiving treatment, and retrospective DUR evaluates therapy after it has been completed, focusing on overall trends and outcomes rather than preventing potential issues before a prescription is filled. Follow-up DUR typically refers to assessments made after a patient has begun a medication regimen, monitoring for effectiveness and side effects. These functions are essential but do not occur prior to the dispensing stage like prospective DUR does.