Drug and therapeutics committees in Nigeria: evaluation of scope and functionality
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Date
2018
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Publisher
Expert review of clinical pharmacology
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Therapeutic committee, Adverse drug reactions, Nigeria
Citation
Fadare, J.O., Ogunleye, O., Obiako, R., Orubu, S., Enwere, O., Ajemigbitse, A.A., Meyer, J.C., Enato, E., Massele, A., Godman, B. and Gustafsson, L.L., 2018. Drug and therapeutics committees in Nigeria: evaluation of scope and functionality. Expert review of clinical pharmacology, 11(12), pp.1255-1262.