Study on drug related problems in tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment

Background: Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity around the world. The aim of this study to identify and document the drug related problems in tuberculosis patients under anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) in an attempt to promote adherence, reduce the drug related problems and improve success rate in TB treatment. The main objective of the study to identify the drug related problems in tuberculosis patients on ATT and second objective measure the medication adherence and counsel patients to improve medication adherence.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in Raja Muthiah Medical College Hospital for 6 months from November 2018 to April 2019. The study was approved by Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC).Results: Total 101 drug related problems have been identified in 70 patients using pharmaceutical care network of Europe classification. Drug interactions 41.58% was the most common drug related problems found, which was clinically significant in tuberculosis patients with co- morbidities. Insufficient awareness of health and disease 21.75% was the second most common drug related problems found, 16.83% drug choice problems found. Nearly 64% of the enrolled patients were found to be non-adherence during pre-patient counselling. After the patient counselling the adherent rate was improved 74%.Conclusions: The study concludes that pharmacist provided patient counselling found to have significant influence on improvement in the patient’s knowledge towards their disease and medication, and adherence to prescribed therapy which helps to improve the clinical outcome of TB patients.