Are pharmacists required to perform retrospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR) when filling a prescription?

Pharmacists are not required to perform a retrospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR) when filling a prescription. Instead, they are typically mandated to conduct prospective DUR, which involves evaluating a patient's medication profile before dispensing a new prescription to identify any potential drug interactions, contraindications, or other issues that may affect the patient's safety and treatment outcomes.

Retrospective DUR refers to reviews conducted after the medication has been dispensed, which may include assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of therapy based on outcomes or adherence to the treatment plan. While retrospective DUR can be part of quality assurance measures within pharmacy practice, it is not a requirement during the prescription filling process.

It is important for pharmacists to focus on preventing medication errors and optimizing therapy through the proactive assessment of a patient's current medications and health conditions. This is a crucial part of their role in patient care, ensuring that every prescription they fill is safe and appropriate for the patient at that moment.