Cost Reduction Associated with Restriction Policy on Dispensing Intravenous Esomeprazole in Lebanon

Objectives: To assess the impact of the pharmacist on cost through simple implementation of restriction policy on IV drug usage during pharmacy dispensing procedure.

Setting: In-patient floors of a Hospital.

Methods: All medication orders for IV esomeprazole, received at the pharmacy during a 24-month period, were reviewed for appropriate IV route of administration. Two separate time intervals, pre- and post- implementation of restriction dispensing policy, were used to determine cost impact of pharmacy intervention.

Main Outcome Measure: The cost difference between pre- and post-restriction periods.

Results: During the pre-restriction period, the majority of esomeprazole IV vials were dispensed to patients able to tolerate oral medications and who were admitted to non-intensive care units. The average monthly consumption of IV esomeprazole was 1,439 vials in the pre-restriction period as compared to 346 vials in the post-restriction period. Therefore, the associated cost was reduced by an average of $21,233 per month.

Conclusion: Even though the clinical role of pharmacy practice in Middle Eastern countries is limited, this study highlighted the impact of the pharmacist on cost through the implementation of restriction policy during dispensing procedure, leading to a cost reduction by four folds.