Impact of educational intervention on the pattern and incidence of potential drug-drug interactions in Nepal

Objective: To study the impact of educational intervention on the pattern and incidence of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Method: All patients admitted to Internal Medicine wards of Manipal Teaching Hospital during the study period were included. Patient details were collected using a patient profile form and the datum from the filled forms was analyzed using Micromedex electronic database. An intervention was carried out through a presentation during clinical meeting and personal discussion. The target groups for the intervention included doctors and the nurses. Results: Altogether 435 patients during preintervention and 445 during postintervention were studied. The incidence of potential DDIs was 53% (preintervention) and 41% (postintervention) [chi-square =11.27, p=0.001]. The average number of drugs per patient was 8.53 (pre-intervention) and 7.32 (post-intervention) [t=3.493, p=0.001]. Sixtyfour percent of the potential DDIs were of �Moderate� type and 58% had a �Delayed� onset in both the phases. Seventy percent of the potential DDIs during the pre-intervention phase and 61% during post-intervention phase had a �Good� documentation status. Pharmacokinetic mechanism accounted for 45% of the potential DDIs during preintervention and 36% in the post-intervention phase. Cardiovascular drugs accounted for 36% of the potential DDIs during pre-intervention and 33.2% during post-intervention phase. Furosemide was the high risk drug responsible for DDIs in both phases. The most common potential DDIs observed were between amlodipine and atenolol (4.82%) (preintervention) and frusemide and aspirin (5.20%) (postintervention). Conclusion: There was an association between potential DDIs and age, sex, and polypharmacy.Objetivo: Estudiar el impacto de una intervención educativa en el esquema y la incidencia de las interacciones medicamentosas potenciales (DDI). Método: Se incluyó a todos los pacientes que visitaron el servicio de medicina interna del Hospital Universitario de Manipal. Los detalles de los pacientes se recogieron utilizando un formulario de perfil de paciente y los datos fueron analizados utilizando la base de datos electrónica Micromedex. Se realizó una intervención mediante una reunión clínica y discusión personal. El grupo diana eran los médicos y los enfermeros. Resultados: Se estudiaron 435 pacientes durante la pre-intervención y 445 durante la post-intervención. Las incidencia de DDI potenciales fue del 53% (pre-intervención) y 41% (post-intervención) [chi cuadrado=11,27, p=0,001]. La media de medicamentos por paciente fue de 8,53 (preintervención) y 7,32 (post-intervención) [t=3,493, p=0,001]. El 64% de las DDI potenciales eran de tipo �Moderadas� y el 58% tenía una iniciación �Retrasada� en ambas fases. El 70% de las DDI potenciales durante la fase de pre-intervención y el 61% en la post-intervención tenían un estado de documentación �Bueno�. Mecanismos farmacocinéticos contabilizaron el 45% de las DDI potenciales durante la pre-intervención y el 36 en la post-intervención. Los medicamentos cardiovasculares sumaron el 36% de las DDI potenciales durante la pre-intervención y el 33,2% en la post-intervención. La furosemida fue el de mayor riesgo de DDI en las dos fases. La DDI potencial más comúnmente observada en la preintervención fue entre amlodipino y atenolol (4,82%), y en la post-intervención fue entre furosemida y aspirina (5,29%). Conclusión: Existía una asociación entre DDI potencial y edad, sexo y polimedicación

Health system gaps in cardiovascular disease prevention and management in Nepal

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths and disability in Nepal. Health systems can improve CVD health outcomes even in resource-limited settings by directing efforts to meet critical system gaps. This study aimed to identify Nepal's health systems gaps to prevent and manage CVDs. METHODS: We formed a task force composed of the government and non-government representatives and assessed health system performance across six building blocks: governance, service delivery, human resources, medical products, information system, and financing in terms of equity, access, coverage, efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability. We reviewed 125 national health policies, plans, strategies, guidelines, reports and websites and conducted 52 key informant interviews. We grouped notes from desk review and transcripts' codes into equity, access, coverage, efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability of the health system. RESULTS: National health insurance covers less than 10% of the population; and more than 50% of the health spending is out of pocket. The efficiency of CVDs prevention and management programs in Nepal is affected by the shortage of human resources, weak monitoring and supervision, and inadequate engagement of stakeholders. There are policies and strategies in place to ensure quality of care, however their implementation and supervision is weak. The total budget on health has been increasing over the past five years. However, the funding on CVDs is negligible. CONCLUSION: Governments at the federal, provincial and local levels should prioritize CVDs care and partner with non-government organizations to improve preventive and curative CVDs services.</p