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340.684.01
Pharmacoepidemiology: Drug Utilization

Location
East Baltimore
Term
4th Term
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2012 - 2013
Instruction Method
TBD
Class Time(s)
M, W, 1:30 - 2:50pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Description
Reviews drug classification systems, review of data sources used for drug utilization research; ranging from primary data collection using surveys and audits of patients and providers to secondary data from administrative claims, electronic health information, and other sources. Reviews methods used to examine drug utilization and to evaluate interventions to modify utilization, such as time-series designs and segmented regression analyses. Considers varied patient, provider, practice and system-level determinants of prescription drug utilization, including their impact on costs and quality of care. Emphasizes the impact of drug formularies, marketing and promotion and emerging evidence of benefits and harms. Also covers topical areas such as adherence and value-based insurance designs, as well as the utilization of complementary and alternative medicines.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Participate in a critical discourse demonstrating intermediate/advanced knowledge of the determinants of drug utilization, including the effect of marketing and promotion, pharmaceutical regulation, and payment policies
  2. Critically evaluate studies that examine drug utilization through a firm understanding of analytic approaches of such studies as well as the numerous determinants and predictors of utilization
  3. Conduct rigorous evaluations of drug utilization by employing knowledge of drug taxonomies, data sources, data interpretation, and implications for public policy and clinical care