TY - JOUR
T1 - Drug and therapeutics committees in Nigeria
T2 - evaluation of scope and functionality
AU - Fadare, Joseph O.
AU - Ogunleye, Olayinka
AU - Obiako, Reginald
AU - Orubu, Samuel
AU - Enwere, Okezie
AU - Ajemigbitse, Adetutu A.
AU - Meyer, Johanna C.
AU - Enato, Ehijie
AU - Massele, Amos
AU - Godman, Brian
AU - Gustafsson, Lars
PY - 2018/11/14
Y1 - 2018/11/14
N2 - Introduction: Inappropriate use of medicines remains a problem, with consequences including increasing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and prolonged hospitalizations. The Essential Medicines List and Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTCs) are accepted initiatives to promote the rational use of medicines. However, little is known about DTC activities in Nigeria, the most populous African country. Areas covered: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among senior pharmacists, consultant physicians and clinical pharmacologists in 12 leading tertiary healthcare facilities across Nigeria. Expert commentary: Six (50%, 6/12) healthcare facilities had existing DTCs with three (50%) having a sub-committee on antimicrobials. 75% had infection control committees, with presence even in centres without DTCs. Chairpersons and secretaries of the DTCs were predominantly physicians (83.3%) and pharmacists (100%) respectively. Hospital formularies were available in five facilities with DTCs, while one facility without a DTC had an Essential Medicines Committee responsible for developing and updating the hospital formulary. The evaluation of ADRs was undertaken by pharmacovigilance units in nine facilities. Overall, DTCs were present in only half of the surveyed facilities and most were performing their statutory functions sub-optimally. The functioning of DTCs can be improved through government directives and mechanisms for continuous evaluation of activities.
AB - Introduction: Inappropriate use of medicines remains a problem, with consequences including increasing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and prolonged hospitalizations. The Essential Medicines List and Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTCs) are accepted initiatives to promote the rational use of medicines. However, little is known about DTC activities in Nigeria, the most populous African country. Areas covered: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among senior pharmacists, consultant physicians and clinical pharmacologists in 12 leading tertiary healthcare facilities across Nigeria. Expert commentary: Six (50%, 6/12) healthcare facilities had existing DTCs with three (50%) having a sub-committee on antimicrobials. 75% had infection control committees, with presence even in centres without DTCs. Chairpersons and secretaries of the DTCs were predominantly physicians (83.3%) and pharmacists (100%) respectively. Hospital formularies were available in five facilities with DTCs, while one facility without a DTC had an Essential Medicines Committee responsible for developing and updating the hospital formulary. The evaluation of ADRs was undertaken by pharmacovigilance units in nine facilities. Overall, DTCs were present in only half of the surveyed facilities and most were performing their statutory functions sub-optimally. The functioning of DTCs can be improved through government directives and mechanisms for continuous evaluation of activities.
KW - rational use of medicines
KW - drug and therapeutic committees
KW - drug formulary
KW - adverse drug reactions
KW - Nigeria
M3 - Article
JO - Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
JF - Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
SN - 1751-2433
ER -