Introduction to Drug Utilization Research and the Conduct of Real-World Drug Utilization Studies: Describe and Compare

Course Aim
This educational session provides an overview of drug utilisation research (DUR) and presents foundational concepts and essential methods used. It will be based on the real-world conduct of drug utilisation studies, with specific examples to provide participants with an ‘introductory working knowledge' of drug utilisation research. Attendees should leave the sessions with a better understanding of DUR. The session includes interaction with participants, question and answer sessions, and discussion during and at the end of each presentation. At the end of the session, the participant will be exposed to:
1. Description of the theoretical framework and practical applications of different methods illustrated using selected examples
2. Classification systems of medicines used in drug utilisation monitoring and research
3. Understand the potential limitations of data sources and methods
4. Interpretation of aggregate and individual-based data, variation and change
5. Applications of drug utilisation research for public health and implications for policy decisions

Requisites Statement
Entry level course. This course is targeted at:
1. New members of the DUR / health services research (HSR) Special Interest Group (SIG) and graduate students new to DUR/HSR
2. Those interested in drug utilisation research who need an overview of the area
3. Those interested in monitoring of medicine use and quality assessment
4. Those working in health care organisations involved in payment and reimbursement of medicines, medicines policy areas, or planning of health services

Course Objectives
1. To provide an overview of Drug Utilisation Research within the context of pharmacoepidemiology, health services research and health policy
2. To describe fundamental principles for classifying and quantifying drug use and to provide an understanding of the methodological challenges
3. To provide the basic knowledge and understanding of epidemiological measures of drug use and study designs based on individual patient data
4. To describe methodological and policy issues in Drug Utilisation Research

Syllabus Outline
1. Lisa Pont, Professor, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
Introduction to Drug Utilisation Research: Methodological Framework and Skills Needed
2. Jodie Hillen, Senior Pharmacoepidemiologist, University of South Australia
Classification and Methods for Quantification of Medication Use
3. Bjorn Wettermark, Professor, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
Study Designs, Data sources and Epidemiological Measures of Drug Utilisation