Science to Practice
Latest highlights on drug safety and efficacy

30.3.2026

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are particularly prone to drug-related problems due to polypharmacy and the need for dose adjustments and monitoring.

In a prospective study of 142 hospitalised CKD patients, clinical pharmacist-led medication reconciliation combined with medication review produced substantial economic benefits. Over a four-month period, preventing and resolving medication discrepancies and other drug-related problems generated an estimated net benefit of USD 81 871 (USD 577 per patient) and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 115.7:1.

These results highlight the clinical and economic value of systematic medication review in high-risk patients. As manual review is resource-intensive, clinical decision support systems that automatically flag potential drug-related problems could help clinicians and pharmacists apply these safety principles more consistently in everyday practice.

The value of medication review in CKD lies in prevention: improving patient safety while reducing healthcare costs.

For more comprehensive information, explore Renbase, our specialised database that provides detailed insights on drug safety and efficacy when treating patients with renal failure.

News produced by Medbase Medical Team

References

1. Altawalbeh SM, Sallam NM, Al-Khatib M, et al. Clinical pharmacist-led medication reconciliation supplemented with medication review in admitted patients with chronic kidney disease: a cost-benefit analysis. BMJ Open. 2025;15:e087232. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087232. PMID: 40322147.