What does Prospective DUR mean in the context of drug utilization review?

Prospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR) refers to the process conducted prior to dispensing medication, focusing on identifying potential issues that could arise during therapy. This proactive approach is crucial in ensuring patient safety and appropriate medication use. By screening for potential therapy problems before the medication is dispensed, healthcare providers can assess for factors such as drug interactions, allergies, duplicate therapies, and contraindications.

This method empowers pharmacists to intervene early if they spot any potential issues, allowing them to either adjust the therapy or communicate necessary information to healthcare prescribers or the patients themselves. Such precautionary measures help in optimizing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing the risk of adverse drug events.

In contrast to this concept, the other options reflect either reactive measures or processes that do not align with the timing and purpose of prospective DUR. For instance, DUR conducted after dispensing is classified as retrospective and does not provide the same immediate benefits in addressing potential therapy problems.