Retrospective Drug Utilization Review Program.

The Retrospective Drug Utilization Review program (RetroDUR) is a collaboration between the New York State Medicaid Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Program and a clinical pharmacist team from the State University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UB SPPS). The program retrospectively reviews the prescribing and dispensing of outpatient prescription medications in order to ensure that prescriptions are appropriate, medically necessary, and not likely to result in adverse medical outcomes. The RetroDUR team notifies prescribers and pharmacies if any potential issues are identified.

In addition to retrospective reviews, the clinical pharmacists from UB SPPS perform outcomes analyses of RetroDUR interventions to evaluate their effectiveness. The UB SPPS team is also prepared to deliver medication therapy management to interested parties and the UB SPPS team co-ordinates with NY Department of Health on provider education initiatives.

Below are examples of RetroDUR projects and their outcomes:

1. Krajewski M, Desai K, Russak E, Gibson W, Jacobs D: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Mailed Letter Intervention to Address Potentially Inappropriate Psychiatric Medication Use. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Pharmacists Association, March 2015, San Diego CA (poster)

2. Russak E, Krajewski M, Desai K, Feuerstein S, Jacobs, D: Analysis of an Enhanced Medication Letter Initiative within a Medicaid Retrospective Drug Utilization Review (RetroDUR) Program. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Pharmacists Association, March 2015, San Diego CA (poster)

3. Krajewski, M. RetroDUR Case Study: Focus on Benzodiazepines Presentation to the New York State Drug Utilization Review Board. September 12, 2013