Does a pharmacist do a prospective or retrospective DUR?

• A. Retrospective DUR
• B. Prospective DUR
• C. Both
• D. Neither

Answer: (B)

DUR has two forms: prospective and retrospective. A pharmacist uses prospective DUR by evaluating a prescription at the point of dispensing to catch safety and appropriate-use issues before the patient receives the medication. This includes checking for allergies, potential drug interactions, duplicate therapies, dosing errors, and contraindications. Retrospective DUR, on the other hand, is performed after dispensing, usually by payers or health systems, by analyzing claims data to identify patterns and guide policy or interventions. So, the pharmacist’s DUR activity in daily practice is prospective.