Effectiveness of Prescription Inquiries Using 2D Codes of Laboratory Data by Community Pharmacies

Continuous monitoring and analysis of patients’ medication status and laboratory data are believed to enhance the effectiveness and safety of drug therapy, while also allowing early detection of adverse drug reactions. In 2011, pharmacies began to print laboratory data on outpatient prescriptions nationwide, and in February 2017, Asahikawa Medical University Hospital began printing 2D codes for laboratory data. In the present study, we retrospectively examined the extent to which laboratory data-related inquiries in pharmacies during the first six years after the introduction of laboratory data printing led to prescriptions changes and subsequent improvements in patient outcomes, as assessed by laboratory data. The results showed that the rate of questionable referrals based on laboratory data after the start of laboratory data printing was 36.5 times higher than that before printing. When prescriptions were changed due to a questionable referral, laboratory data after the referral were significantly improved compared to those at the time of questionable referral in cases related to renal function and hyperkalemia. When only drugs for renal impairment were included in the study, laboratory data showed significantly greater improvement in the group with a change in prescription following pharmacy inquiries compared to the group without such changes. The results of this study suggested that the use of laboratory data contributes to improved patient outcomes, at least regarding renal function, when pharmacists make question-and-answer referrals.