Cost Analysis of Drug-related Problems in Saudi Arabia: Patients’ and Healthcare Providers’ Perspective

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the cost analysis of drug-related problems in Saudi Arabia from patient and healthcare provider's perceptive Methods: It is a 4-months cross-sectional survey of cost analysis drug-related problem in Saudi Arabia from patient and health care provider's perceptive. The study consisted of two-part a demographic data. The second part contained the questions about the occurrence of drug-related problems with the patient, the economic burden of cost of drugrelated problems. American Society of Health-System Pharmacist (ASHP) definitions of drug-related problem used. The survey distributed through social media. The questionnaire made of an electronic format, and it analyzed through survey monkey system. Results: The total responders were two hundred and one; the Saudi nationality was 188 (93.5%), and non-Saudi was 13 (6.5%) patient. The gender distribution was female 180 (89.6%), and male was 21 (10.4%). The majority of them in age (18-44) 88% and located in Riyadh region 84 (41.8%) and Asir region 59 (29.4%). Of those 44 (22.1 %) were health care providers. The responders showed a high percentage of drug related problem occurrences for public and health care providers was drug non-compliance (70.45%, 70.9%), and indication without medication (52.27%,49.35%). The health care providers spent (63,728.53 USD) annually as average cost of drug-related problems, while the public spent (888,433.24 USD) annually. The highest cost of drug-related problem was medication adverse reaction (1733.33 USD) and medication errors (762.67 USD) per each event. The total estimated cost of drug-related problems was (60,996,726,906.27 USD) annually in Saudi Arabia. Conclusions: The drug-related problems are very high-cost burden on health care system in Saudi Arabia. Targeting to improve role of pharmacist and prevent drug-related misadventures is highly recommended through Saudi Heath Care Vision 2030.