Result: A retrospective analysis of e-prescriptions for non-communicable diseases on a telehealth platform in Malaysia.

Title:
A retrospective analysis of e-prescriptions for non-communicable diseases on a telehealth platform in Malaysia.
Authors:
Yow HY; Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Loo JSE; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia., Lee YH; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia., Oui HC; DOC2US, Heydoc International Sdn Bhd, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia., Megat Mohd Zubairi MH; DOC2US, Heydoc International Sdn Bhd, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia., Abdul Rahim N; Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. nusaibah.abdulrahim@um.edu.my.
Source:
BMC health services research [BMC Health Serv Res] 2024 Aug 06; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 897. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 06.
Publication Type:
Journal Article; Observational Study
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101088677 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1472-6963 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14726963 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Health Serv Res Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Original Publication: London : BioMed Central, [2001-
MeSH Terms:
Noncommunicable Diseases*/drug therapy , Noncommunicable Diseases*/therapy , Noncommunicable Diseases*/epidemiology , Telemedicine*/statistics & numerical data, Humans ; Malaysia ; Retrospective Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Child
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Contributed Indexing:
Keywords: Community pharmacy; E-prescriptions; Non-communicable diseases; Telehealth
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20240806 Date Completed: 20240806 Latest Revision: 20250130
Update Code:
20250131
PubMed Central ID:
PMC11304582
DOI:
10.1186/s12913-024-11341-0
PMID:
39107764
Database:
MEDLINE

Further Information

Background: The management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has benefited from telehealth services. As these services which include teleconsultation services and e-prescriptions are relatively new in Malaysia, the data generated provide an unprecedented opportunity to study medication use patterns for the management of NCDs in the country. We analyze e-prescriptions from a local telehealth service to identify medication use patterns and potential areas to optimize medication use in relation to clinical practice guidelines.
Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted by retrieving e-prescription records retrospectively from a telehealth service. 739,482 records from January 2019 to December 2021 were extracted using a designated data collection form. Data cleaning, standardization and data analysis were performed using Python version 3.11. The diagnoses were classified according to the International Classification of Disease 10 (ICD-10), while medications were classified using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) system. Diagnoses, frequency of use for medication classes and individual medications were analyzed and compared to clinical practice guidelines.
Results: The top five NCD diagnoses utilized by the service were hypertension (37.7%), diabetes mellitus (25.1%), ischemic heart disease (24.3%), asthma (14.4%), and dyslipidemia (11.7%). Medications were prescribed mostly in accordance with guideline recommendations. However, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were significantly more frequently prescribed compared to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). Several medication classes appeared underutilized, including ACEIs in hypertensive patients with diabetes or ischemic heart disease, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in diabetic patients with ischemic heart disease, and metformin in patients with diabetes.
Conclusions: Telehealth services are currently being utilized for the management of NCDs. Medication use for the management of NCDs through these services are mostly in accordance with guideline recommendations, but there exist areas that would warrant further investigation to ensure optimal clinical and economic outcomes are achieved.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)