Developing a Computer Database for Registering and Monitoring Patients on Chronic Drug Therapy to Determine Drug Consumption: a Pilot Study.

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a computerised database for monitoring actual drug consumption by a group of patients on chronic drug therapy and pilot the database to assess its effectiveness. Setting: Community based in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. Subjects: 434 patients with asthma, hypertension, epilepsy, Diabetes mellitus or multiple conditions whose medical information was entered into the database. Main Outcome Measure: Accessibility of information on the exact amount of drugs being utilised by patients. Results: It was possible to determine the amount of drugs being consumed by the patients on chronic drug therapy from the database. Additional information on patient demographic data as well as adverse drug reactions could be compiled from that basic data. The database could also be used to follow up patients and record any changes in their treatment regimens and other relevant clinical information. Conclusion: It is feasible to create a database for monitoring actual drug consumption by patients on chronic drug therapy as a way of forecasting drug requirements accurately. Such a database has more advantages over the current methods used to estimate drug requirements. It could also be very useful as an information resource centre for nation-wide use.