A medication history is a detailed, accurate and complete account of all prescribed and non-prescribed medications that a patient had taken or is currently taking before a newly initiated institutionalized or ambulatory care. It provides valuable insights into patients’ allergic tendencies, adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, social drug use, and probable self-medication with complementary and alternative medicines. Availability of a detailed medication history, particularly at the prescribing stage of the medication use process, is critical to the success of the diagnostic and patient management tasks. This is because the occurrence of medication errors is strongly associated with inadequate or incomplete medication history.
The documentation of medication history has
historically been undertaken mainly by physicians and sometimes nurses.
However, several studies which were done mainly showed that the medication
history information documented by physicians is often inaccurate, and incomplete;
and lack information regarding medication allergies, past prescription
/nonprescription medications, and patient’s adherence to prescribed doses.
The participation of pharmacists in the documentation
of medication history has been shown to result in significant improvement in
its accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Pharmacists-acquired medication histories are often free of the error of
commission, and omission and more frequently document past prescription/ OTC
medicines, allergy history, and use of alcohol. However, this concept has been
tested only in developed countries. There is no published information on the impact
of pharmacists’ participation in the documentation of medication history in
developing countries. Like other developing countries, set with poorly organized
drug distribution systems, poorly controlled access to both orthodox and herbal
medicines, distribution and sale of fake medicines, and invasive
self-medication with prescription-only, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines.
Needs For the Patient Medication History Interview
The goal of a medication history interview is to
obtain information on aspects of drug use that may assist in the overall care
of the patient. The information gathered can be utilized to:
• Compare medication profiles with the medication
administration record and investigate the discrepancies.
• Verify medication history taken by other staff and
provide additional information where appropriate.
• Document allergies and adverse reactions.
• Screen for drug interactions.
• Assess patient medication compliance.
• Assess the rationale for the drug prescribed.
• Assess the evidence of drug abuse.
• Appraise the drug administration techniques.
• Examine the need for medication aids.
• Document patient-initiated medication
administration.