PHARMACOTHERAPY PLAN:

medical treatment by means of drugs.

Pharmacist work up of drug therapy

(PWDT).
Pharmacist 's workup of drug
therapy (PWDT)
• A tool available to practitioners that serves as a
guide through the steps of the patient care process.

• Contains the thought processes necessary for

pharmaceutical care.

• Helpful to a pharmacy student or a pharmacist

entering a new field of pharmacy practice.

• As a training/orientation exercises.
 Components of PWDT
Findings Subjective data /Objective data.
Desired outcomes Assessment.
Drug-related problems Forms the basis for the intervention plan.
Therapeutic selection Resolutions/Recommendation.
Monitoring parameters Plan.
Follow-up.
Patient care process:
1) patient assessment.
2) creation of a pharmaceutical care plan.
3) follow-up evaluation.
Documentation of pharmaceutical
care.
•SOAP note.

•CORE Pharmacotherapy Plan.

•PRIME Pharmacotherapy problems.

•FARM note.
 SOAP note.
S= Leads to, the recognition of a pharmacotherapy problem or
subjective Indication.
findings. Subjective data are open to individual interpretation.
Patient 's statement of complaint ( the chief complaint ; cc)
duration/severity of symptoms.
O= Leads to, the recognition of a pharmacotherapy problem or
objective Indication for pharmacist intervention.
findings. objective data are easily duplicated or quantified.
Laboratory data, weight , height , blood pressure, and pulse.
A= Physician's working diagnosis.
assessment possible explanations for the patient 's medical problem(s) .
pharmacist 's evaluation of the subjective and objective findings.
P= Physician's intended drug regimen(s), surgical procedures, and/or
plan. diagnostic tests.
pharmacists may not have the authority to initiate/alter drug
therapy regimens.
Monitoring and follow-up.
 CORE pharmacotherapy plan 3

C= patient need.
condition include nonmedical
conditions/needs.

O= desired for the conditions or 1) Patient outcomes

outcome(s) needs. (POEMS: patient -oriented evidence that
matters) .
(2) Therapeutic end points
(DOES: disease-oriented evidence)

R= to achieve the desired Therapeutic regimens.

regimen outcome. Goal setting and behavior regimens.

E= to assess outcome Efficacy parameters.

evaluation achievement . To ensure that therapeutic end points or
parameters patient outcomes are being achieved.
Toxicity parameters.
To ensure that adverse effects, allergic
reactions, or toxicity is not occurring.
 Patient outcomes----Dr Lawrence Weed
POEMS: patient -oriented evidence that
matters.
Five categories of patient outcomes:
– Mortality
– Morbidity
( i ) Related to disease process
( ii ) Related to medication/ treatment plan
– Behavior.
– Economic,
– Quality of life.
POMR components

•1. The defined data base

•2. The complete problem list
•3. The initial plan
•4. The progress notes
 Therapeutic end points
(DOES: disease-oriented evidence):

• Pharmacological/therapeutic effect that is

expected to achieve the desired outcome(s) .

• More than one end point is usually needed to

achieve an outcome.
 R = regimen
Therapeutic Existing therapy. One or more agents are already prescribed for the
regimens disease process/problem.
Evaluate the current drug regimen to achieve
desired end points and to meet the patient 's
individual needs.
Initial To work with a patient whose condition was newly
therapy. diagnosed
To develop an initial treatment plan.
From the list the therapeutic options select the
option best suited for the patient 's well -being.
Goal setting Identify the type of Start a new positive action(an exercise program)
and behavior goal being set. Increase the frequency/intensity of a positive
regimens. action.
Stop or decrease frequency /intensity of a
destructive action.
Continue an action that is “perfect ”.
State the behavior Set time limits.
goal that are clear , Target a specific action.
specific, reasonable. Set measures and frequency.
Divide a big task into several small ones.
PRIME pharmacotherapy problems
• Referred to as drug-related problems.
• Goal is to identify actual or potential problems that
could compromise the desired patient outcomes.
P = Pharmaceutical-based Patient not receiving a prescribed drug, device, or intervention
Routine monitoring (labs, screenings, exams) missing
problems
R = Risks to patient Adverse drug reaction/drug allergy.

I = Interactions Drug-drug, drug-disease, drug-food interactions

M = Mismatch between medications and condition or patient needs

No indication for a current drug.
Indication for a drug, device, or intervention but none prescribed
E = Efficacy issues Too much of the correct drug
Too little of the correct drug
Wrong drug, device, intervention, or regimen prescribed.
More efficacious choice possible
Canaday BR, Yarborough PC. Documenting pharmaceutical care: Creating a standard. Ann Pharmacother 1994;28:1292-
1296.
 FARM note
F= patient -specific leads to, the recognition of a pharmacotherapy problem or
findings. information indication.
findings include subjective and objective Information.
A= Evaluation of To make recommendations.
assessment the findings Severity/priority/urgency of the problem.
Short - term and long- term goals of the intervention.
R= intervention Actual or proposed actions by the pharmacist.
resolution plan Recommendations to other healthcare professionals.
Rationale for choosing a specific intervention should be
stated.
d. M = follow-up. To assess the efficacy, safety, and outcome of the
monitoring intervention.
The parameter to be followed? e.g pain, depressed mood.
The intent of the monitoring? e.g efficacy, toxicity,
How the parameter will be monitored? e.g. patient interview.
Frequency of monitoring.
Duration of monitoring.
desired outcome? e.g. , no pain.
Decision point to alter therapy? (e.g. , pain still
present after 3 days.
pharmaceutical care

“pharmaceutical care is the responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of
achieving definite outcomes that improve a patient’s quality of life.”
(Hepler and Strand in 1990)
Desired outcomes of pharmaceutical care
1) Cure of a patient’s disease.
2) Reduction or elimination of disease symptoms;
3) arresting or slowing progression of a disease;
4) Preventing a disease or symptoms.
5) To reduce drug-related morbidity and mortality.
6) Address all the patient’s drug-related needs.
7) Establish a caring therapeutic relationship with individual patients.
Patients must receive the most appropriate, effective, safe, convenient, and economical
therapy.
To identify, resolve, and prevent drug therapy problems.
To ensure that optimal patient outcomes are achieved.
 Monitoring of Pharmacotherapeutic plan
• Drug therapy problems:
Undesired outcomes associated with drug therapy.
A. To increase the frequency and benefits of desired outcomes.
Pharmaceutical care plan.
1. Assessment. to determine the need for medication.
2. Plan. based on the assessment of the patient
3. Monitoring. review of the outcomes of drug therapy.
B. less-than-optimal drug therapy.
Drug therapy problems
1. Unnecessary drug therapy.
2. Wrong drug.
3. Dose too low.
4. Adverse drug reaction.
5. Dose too high.
6. Inappropriate adherence.
7. Need additional drug therapy.
 Monitoring therapy
• Patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
• Close monitoring is required
– for medicines with narrow therapeutic indices.
– for the subset of drugs where therapeutic drug monitoring
may be beneficial

for example, digoxin,

• phenytoin, theophylline and aminoglycosides.
Anticoagulant therapy, including warfarin and
unfractionated heparin.
 Steps to Intervention
(1) Observing/reassessing/following no intervention necessary at this time.
(2) Counseling or educating the patient or caregiver
(3) Making recommendations to the patient or caregiver and prescriber.
(4) Informing the prescriber About the recommendations made.
(5) Withholding medication or advising against use.
PHARMACIST'S ROLES IN
PHARMACEUTICAL CARE.
Role Skills Required
A. Patient Physical assessment
assessment Barriers to adherence
Psychosocial issues
B. Patient empathy, listening, speaking or Interview skills
education writing at the patient 's level of Communication skills
and understanding.
counseling Ability to motivate, inspire
Develop and implement a patient
education plan
resolution of compliance barriers
C. Patient – Recognition, prevention, and Pharmacology and
specific management of drug interactions. therapeutics.
pharmacist Professional referrals
care plans Interpretation of laboratory tests. Communication.
D. Drug- Update protocols. Drug-use evaluations;
treatment Monitor aggregate adherence to DUEs.
protocols treatment protocols
E. Dosage Risk for exaggerated or pharmacokinetic principles
adjustment sub-therapeutic response. interpret relevant tests
assess dosage adjustment
F. Selection of Use drug information resources
therapeutic Review and critique drug
alternatives literature.
G. Preventive Immunizations
services Screenings
 Drug use process (DUP) indicators
Need for a drug Ensure there is an appropriate indication for each drug.
all medical problems are addressed therapeutically
Select drug With consideration of patient variables, formulary status and cost of
therapy.
Select regimen most appropriate drug regimen at the least cost.
Provide drug Facilitate the dispensing and supply process.
Drugs are accurately prepared, dispensed in ready-to administer
Form.
Delivered to the patient on a timely basis.
Drug Appropriate devices and techniques are used for drug administration
administration
Monitor drug For effectiveness or adverse effects.
therapy To determine whether to maintain, modify or discontinue.
Counsel patient To ensure proper use of medicines
Evaluate
effectiveness
IMPORTANCE OF
PHARMACEUTICAL CARE

• Use of prescription and nonprescription

medications is growing.
• Complexity, and potency of prescription and
nonprescription drug products are increasing.
• Secures an enduring role for the pharmacist in
healthcare system.
• Integrate pharmacists into the healthcare
system of the future.
 Follow up
Resolved
-the goals have been achieved and therapy is completed.
Stable
-the goals have been achieved, but continue the same therapy.
Improved
-progress is being made toward achievement of the goals, so continue the same therapy.
Partial improvement
-progress is being made, but minor adjustments in the therapy are required.
Unimproved
-there is no measurable progress yet, but continue the same therapy.
Worsened
-there is a decline in health, so revise the therapy accordingly.
Failure
-the goals are not achievable with the present therapy, so initiate new therapy.
Expired
-the patient died while receiving drug therapy.

(Encyclopedia of Clinical Pharmacy)

 Mnemonics (Roger Walker)
WWHAM Who is it for?
What are the symptoms?
How long has it been going on?
Action taken?
Medicines taken?
AS Age of the patient?
METTHOD Self or for someone else?
Medicines being taken?
Exactly what do you mean (by the symptom)?
Time and duration of the symptom
Taken any action (medicine or seen the doctor)?
History of any disease?
Other symptoms?
Doing anything to alleviate or worsen the symptom?
ENCORE Evaluate the symptom.
No medication is always an option.
Care when dealing with specific patient groups.
Observe the patient for signs.
Refer when in doubt.
Explain any course of action recommended.
 Relevant patient details (Roger Walker)
Age Very young and the very old are most at risk of medication-related
problems.
Gender Prompt consideration of the potential for pregnancy or breast
feeding.
Ethnic or Racially determined predispositions to intolerance or ineffectiveness.
religious
background Formulations may be problematic for other groups
Social history Living alone or in a care home or availability of nursing, social or
informal carers?
Presenting Might be attributable to the adverse effects of prescribed or
complaint purchased medicines.
Working To identify the classes of medicines that would be anticipated on the
diagnosis prescription based on current evidence.
Previous medical Guides the selection of appropriate therapy.
history
Laboratory or Focus should be on findings that may affect therapy.
physical Results may convey a need for dosage adjustment.
findings Presence of an adverse reaction.
 Medication history
• Identify any allergies or serious adverse
reactions.
• medicines in the patient's possession.
• generic name of medicine, dose, frequency,
duration of therapy.
• inhalers, eye drops, topical medicines, herbal
and homeopathic remedies.
• swallowing difficulties.
• ability to read labels.
• Supply problems.
 Good Reads
• Comprehensive_Pharmacy_Review by shargel Pharmaceutical
Care and Disease State Management Peggy C. Yarborough

• Roger Walker.

• Gennaro AR Remington----Documenting, Billing, and

Reimbursement for Pharmaceutical Care Services Michael T
Rupp.C H A P T E R 117
• Gennaro AR Remington---- Development of a Pharmacy Care
Plan and Patient Problem Solving Deepika Vadher, PharmD,
BCPS Bradley C Cannon, PharmD C H A P T E R 122