West Virginia MPJE (Pharmacy Jurisprudence) Practice Exam

What information must pharmacists look for during a prospective DUR before dispensing a new prescription or refill for Medicaid patients?

1. Therapeutic duplication, incorrect dosing, drug allergies

2. Financial status and insurance coverage

3. Insurance approval and patient occupation

4. Therapeutic indications and pharmacy inventory

The correct answer is: Therapeutic duplication, incorrect dosing, drug allergies

The correct answer identifies essential elements that pharmacists must assess during a prospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR) for Medicaid patients. Therapeutic duplication is crucial because it ensures patients are not receiving multiple medications that serve the same therapeutic purpose, which can lead to increased risk of side effects or overdose. Incorrect dosing is vital as it can directly impact the efficacy of the medication and the safety of the patient. Drug allergies are also significant; checking for allergies is a necessary precaution to prevent severe allergic reactions, which can have life-threatening consequences. The other options do not encompass the critical aspects that a pharmacist must consider during a prospective DUR. While financial status and insurance coverage might be relevant for billing and access to medications, they do not directly pertain to the safe and effective use of the medications being prescribed. Insurance approval could be crucial for reimbursement but is not part of the clinical evaluation of the prescription itself. Lastly, therapeutic indications and pharmacy inventory are important in other contexts; however, they are not part of the core objectives of ensuring patient safety and medication efficacy during a prospective DUR.