“…[20] Studies are also done to evaluate quality improvement of prescription, dispensing, and follow-up- Experimental studies and observational studies: To obtain baseline data or direct evidence
- Naturalistic studies: For clinical evaluation by observing subjects in their natural environment[21]
- Longitudinal studies: To study the disease process and its development and longterm efficacy of the drugs
- Postmarketing surveillance studies: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the already marketed drugs as well as overuse and misuse of drugs[22]
- Drug utilization studies[23]
- Clinical audits and other overall assessment of healthcare[24]
- Studies on compliance of treatment[25]
- Development of treatment formularies and therapeutic guidelines: Comparative evaluation is done on the role of different criteria in developing the drug formulary therapeutic guidelines[2627]
- Assessment of completeness and practical value of product package inserts
- Pharmacoeconomic studies: To describe and analyze the costs of drug therapy to health care systems and society[28]
- Research on outcomes, change in quality of life, and patient satisfaction[29]
- Toxicity evaluation: Evaluation of acute drug toxicity, toxicity in special populations, and evaluation of the practical information available on the toxicity
- Analysis of drug interactions: With food, nutraceuticals, probiotics, and all other medicinal products
- Studies on the prevention of iatrogeny: Study on potential iatrogenic drugs and modes of prevention[30]
- Pharmacogenetic studies: To know and explain the variability in response due to ethnic variation[31]
- Chronopharmacological studies: To adjust the dosage or to decide proper dosing time depending on human biological rhythms[32]
- Studies on special population: Use of drugs by at risk populations, especially pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and children, the elderly, patients with chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, renal, hepatic, cardiovascular, and psychiatric diseases)[33]
- Studies on medication error: To classify and analyze the errors in the use, prescription, dispensing, and formulation of drugs[34]
- Studies of drug compounding[35]
- Epidemiological studies on self-medication, over-the-counter drugs and use of herbal medicines[36]
- Studies of the pattern of use and interactions among scientific medicine, quack-remedies, alternative medicine, and placebo effects[37]
- Evaluation of interrelationships between patients, healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry[38]
- Evaluation of the quality of health information and patient health education on the appropriate use of medicinal products[39]
- Evaluation of awareness on health care by the media (television, radio, newspaper)[40]
- Systematic evaluation of accuracy of information available on the internet regarding medicinal products[41]
- Assessment of impact on and attitude of the society toward new drugs
- The study of prescribing...
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