Drug Related Problems and Dietary Supplements and Herbs use in Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Rasisalai District, Sisaket Province

Abstract

This Mixed methods research aims to investigate the causes of drug related problems and               consumption behavior of dietary supplement and herbs in uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patients in
Bua Hung Subdistrict and Nong Ung Subdistrict, Rasisalai District, Sisaket Province during home care pharmacy service. The data were collected using INHOMESSS home care record and questionnaire from
30 diabetic patients who have HbA1C value more 7% between February-May 2021. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and content analysis. The results showed that the most patients were females, with an average age of 58.43±12.70 years and had HbA1C level of 9.76±1.72%. Four most prevalent drug related problems were medication non adherence which was related to patients. 83.3% of the patients had leftover-drug, main cause of leftover-drugs were that incorrect drug takings, forgetting to take medicines and self-dose adjustment or stopping the medication intake. Most patients had a moderate level of knowledge and practice of insulin pen and had a moderate level of knowledge about diabetic medication. 13.3% of the patients used dietary supplements whereas 20.0% of them used herbs. Not all patients consulted or informed their physicians before or during the use of dietary supplements or herbs. 40.0% of patients who used dietary supplements and 83.3% of patients who used herbs believe that they could control their underlying diseases and 20% of patients who used dietary supplements believed that the underlying diseases can be cured. A home care service provided by family pharmacists was considered effective in exploring in-depth patient problems and understanding the actual problems, which would lead to effective management of drug related problems.