What is the process of verifying a medication's appropriateness for a patient called?

The process of verifying a medication's appropriateness for a patient is best described as drug utilization evaluation. This process involves reviewing medication therapy to ensure that drugs are being used in a safe, effective, and appropriate manner for the specific patient. Drug utilization evaluation examines a variety of factors, including the patient's medical history, current health conditions, potential drug interactions, and adherence to treatment guidelines. It is a systematic approach aimed at optimizing therapeutic outcomes for patients while minimizing the risks associated with medication therapy.

Medication management, while relevant, refers more broadly to the overall process of coordinating medication therapy, which may include adherence, monitoring, and adjustments based on a patient’s response to therapy. Patient medication review focuses on assessing a patient's entire medication regimen, including over-the-counter medications and supplements, and ensuring they are being used correctly, but it is typically less formal than a drug utilization evaluation. On the other hand, pharmaceutical assessment emphasizes evaluating the properties of the medication itself rather than the appropriateness for the individual patient.

Thus, drug utilization evaluation is recognized as a more structured and targeted approach to ensuring that medications are appropriate for a patient's specific clinical scenario.