Relationship of using smart card and drug consumption management of MS specific patients

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Department of Health Care Services Management, Sciences & Researches Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

  Aims: The health system of Iran annually spends great amount of costs for supplying drugs. The general goal of the present research was studying the effects of smart card application in drug consumption management of MS patients in Tehran Medical Services Insurance Organization.   Methods: This research is a correlation study that was conducted in 2010 in Tehran. The statistical population of the present research was all MS patients covered by Tehran Medical Services Insurance Organization. Data were collected by field method by direct refer to the documents and using the data transfer form. In order to analyze the findings after and before smart card application, the average per capita of drug consumption, credits and prescriptions were analyzed. Then T-test, F-test and SPSS 16 Software were used for the analysis of the obtained data.   Results: There was positive significant relationship among smart card application during years 2007 (before application), 2008, 2009 (after application) and the rate of drug consumption (p < 0.009), drug credits (p < 0.005) and prescriptions (p < 0.001).   Conclusion: Applying smart cards for recording medical and pharmaceutical related data can be an effective step towards reducing the drug consumption per capita, the rate of prescriptions and the patients’ referring load. Therefore, application of smart cards results in the improvement of drug consumption management and control.

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