Drug-to-Drug Interaction

Overview

HIV drugs (‘anti-retrovirals’ or ARVs) are amongst the most therapeutically risky drugs for serious drug-drug interactions. Large-scale surveys in North America, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa indicate that clinically significant interactions are present in around 1 : 3 to 4 patients receiving ARVs. One large survey of more than 5000 outpatient prescriptions in California reported harms resulting to 10% of patients receiving contraindicated medications with their ARVs - almost certainly an underestimate. Further, around 5-10% of clinically significant drug interactions have the capacity to lower ARV exposure, thus increasing the risk of HIV treatment failure. This risk is even higher in sub-Saharan Africa, because of the types of interactions encountered, and the comparative lack of monitoring to detect clinical harms in a timely manner.

Project description

HIV care delivery in remote areas through innovative mobile information services that provides semi-trained community healthcare workers with mobile technology that provides decision support (drug-drug interaction checker and patient history) and allows for a reliable communication interface with remote specialists. The drug-drug interaction application consist of a clinically useful, reliable, comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence-based drug-drug interaction resource which is freely available. Data sent by the health worker are incorporated into an electronic medical record in order to facilitate care (treatment follow-up), quality control and allow statistical analysis.

Key features

Stand alone evidence-based drug-drug interaction application

Multiplatform supported

Data transmission to an electronic medical record system

Efficient information management system