Drug utilization review using a Medicaid claims database.

A methodology for conducting drug utilization review (DUR) using Medicaid claims data is presented. The DUR allows for calculation of rates and costs of health care utilization among patients with established diagnoses and specific drug regimens; for comparison of results between competing drug therapies; for quantification of the percent market share of pharmaceutical products; and for projection of the duration of a given drug therapy. The strengths and limitations of using Medicaid data for DUR are discussed.