West Virginia MPJE (Pharmacy Jurisprudence) Practice Exam

Which entity performs retrospective DUR?

1. Dispensing pharmacist

2. Pharmacy technician

3. State

4. Prescriber

The correct answer is: Dispensing pharmacist

The correct choice reflects that the dispensing pharmacist is primarily responsible for performing retrospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR). This process involves assessing a patient's medication therapy after prescriptions have been dispensed. It aims to identify potential issues such as drug interactions, therapeutic duplications, or other concerns that could affect patient safety and medication effectiveness. The pharmacist's role in retrospective DUR is critical because they possess the professional training and expertise necessary to evaluate the appropriateness of medications in the context of a patient's comprehensive medication history. This ensures that any potential discrepancies can be addressed with the prescriber and the patient, thereby promoting optimal therapeutic outcomes. In contrast, the roles of pharmacy technicians, the state, and prescribers do not typically encompass the comprehensive evaluation and clinical judgment required for retrospective DUR. Technicians primarily perform technical tasks related to medication dispensing and do not have the authority to conduct clinical reviews. The state, while it may set regulations regarding DUR practices, does not directly perform these reviews. Prescribers focus on the initial medication prescribing process but are not involved in the retrospective evaluation of therapy once medication is dispensed. Thus, the pharmacist's involvement is pivotal in this area of patient care.