OBJECTIVES: To describe the results of the systematic identification of pharmacological inefficiencies through a value-based patient drug safety program.

METHODS: Descriptive observational study, conducted between August 2020 - May 2021, in patients diagnosed with high-cost chronic pathologies. The pharmacists systematically identified and resolved the potential inefficiencies associated with drugs. A univariate analysis was performed, with summary measures of central tendency and relative and cumulative frequencies. R Core Team statistical package (2019) was used. Further, the potential savings of wasteful spending health was calculated.

RESULTS: 13768 patients were evaluated with a mean age of 59 years (SD:4), 65.0% were women. In 1.9% of the patients evaluated, 16503 inefficiencies associated with inappropriate medication use were identified and intervened. 51.7% corresponded to therapeutic duplications, 12.9% unneeded medication, 10.3% drug interactions, 8.1% overdosage, 8.0% incorrect medication, 4.6% chronification of treatment, 1.4% incorrect use frequency, 1.1% underdosing, 1.1% prescribing cascade, 0.5% contraindications and, 0.3% dose adjustment due to renal or hepatic failure. The acceptance rate of pharmaceutical management was 18%. The potential savings from pharmacist interventions was 452002.44 USD (50222 USD an average month).

CONCLUSIONS: The value-based patient drug safety program allows the systematic identification and management of pharmacological inefficiencies, generating impact on clinical and economic results. However, articulation between pharmacist-physician-insurer health is required to improve the effectiveness of the pharmacist intervention.