Introduction to drug utilization research

Research in drug utilization began to develop in the 1960s. Some pioneering studies focused on assessing differences in drug utilization between countries or regions. Other studies focused on factors influencing the prescribing patterns of physicians. Drug utilization research (DUR) is significantly connected to clinical pharmacology. The original aims of clinical pharmacology were to develop new drugs and to determine the balance between drug benefit and risk in clinical trials. The eclectic nature of drug utilization research requires expertise in a broad range of research methodologies. Qualitative studies are also needed to explore the perceptions of prescribers, dispensers and patients in dealing with…