title: Improving osteoporosis management in general practice: a pharmacist-led drug use evaluation program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a drug use evaluation (DUE) program on osteoporosis management in general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A DUE program, led by pharmacists integrated into two general practice clinics in Melbourne, Australia, was undertaken as part of the Pharmacists in Practice Study. Data on use of anti-osteoporosis medicines and calcium and vitamin D supplements were collected at baseline and 12 months. Following the baseline audit, an intervention comprising prescriber feedback, group education and individual case-conferences with prescribers, and patient education mail-outs was implemented. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a diagnosis of osteoporosis and without contraindications to anti-osteoporosis medicines who were prescribed an anti-osteoporosis medicine. Feedback from practice staff and pharmacists was explored qualitatively to evaluate the acceptability of the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of patients without documented contraindications to osteoporosis therapies who were prescribed an anti-osteoporosis medicine increased significantly (134/227 [59.0 %] vs. 168/240 [70.0 %], p = 0.002). The proportion of patients for whom vitamin D and/or calcium supplement use was documented also increased significantly (145/227 [63.9 %] vs. 205/240 [85.4 %], p = 0.002). Practice staff and pharmacists were generally positive about the DUE program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A practice pharmacist-led DUE program improved the management of osteoporosis in general practice.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia, edwin.tan@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Edwin C K
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Johnson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Rohan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000517:prevention & control; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010595:Pharmacists; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D014739:Victoria; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D