Strategy for establishing an effective Korean drug utilization review system

Nam-Kyong Choi; Byung-Joo Park

doi:10.5124/jkma.2010.53.12.1130

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 53(12); 2010 > Article

Choi and Park: Strategy for establishing an effective Korean drug utilization review system

Healthcare Policy

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2010; 53(12): 1130-1138.

Published online: December 07, 2010

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2010.53.12.1130

Strategy for establishing an effective Korean drug utilization review system

Nam-Kyong Choi, PhD, Byung-Joo Park, MD

Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine & Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author: Byung-Joo Park, bjpark@snu.ac.kr

Received October 29, 2010 Accepted November 15, 2010

This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Drug utilization review (DUR) system has been defined as "structured, ongoing initiatives that interpret patterns of drug use in relation to predetermined criteria, and attempt to prevent or minimize inappropriate prescribing." This paper introduces the concept, purpose, and effective application of DUR in Korea. DUR can be classified as retrospective DUR, prospective DUR, and concurrent DUR based on the time direction of applying DUR. DUR can also be classified as quantitative DUR defined by retrospective DUR using databases including previously prescribed medicines, and qualitative DUR defined by DUR reflecting patient's clinical condition. We described the history of developing DUR in the United States and the Europe. Finally current status of DUR in Korea is described and the strategy of future settlement of DUR system in Korea is suggested.

Drug utilization review system; Korea; Drug safety

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