Drug utilization research: Methods and applications

Abstract

Towards a better understanding of how medicines are used in society. Drug Utilization Research (DUR) is a discipline which combines aspects of pharmacotherapy, epidemiology, and health services research into an interdisciplinary set of methods for analyzing and assessing the prescribing, dispensing and consumption of medicines. It combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches to facilitate the safe and effective use of pharmaceuticals. Drug Utilization Research: Methods and Applications provides a comprehensive introduction to this discipline, prepared by an international team of authors with broad experience in numerous fields. Now reorganized and updated to reflect the latest research and global challenges, it is an indispensable resource for understanding the use of pharmaceuticals. Readers of the second edition of Drug Utilization Research will find: • New chapters on methods, including more hands-on guidance on how to plan and conduct different types of drug utilization • A section on specific applications in areas such as psychotropics, opioids, cancer drugs, antibacterials, and cardiovascular drugs • A new section with case studies illustrating applications of DUR in different continents • Detailed treatment of subjects including DUR and health policy, DUR in specific populations, and many more. Drug Utilization Research is ideal for epidemiologists, pharmacists, physicians, nurses and others interested in drug use and its outcomes.