Section 4401, 1927(g) of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1990 mandated that the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) develop and adopt regulations effective January 1, 1993 for a drug use review program for covered outpatient drugs. The Act established a Drug Utilization Review Board which is resposible for reviewing and approving drug use criteria and standards for both retrospective and prospective drug use reviews (DURs), applying these criteria and standards in the application of DUR activities, reviewing and reporting the results of DURs, and recommending and evaluating educational intervention programs. The purpose of the DUR program is to improve the quality of pharmaceutical care by ensuring that prescriptions are appropriate, medically necessary, and that they are not likely to result in adverse medical results.

The Board consists of nine members: three members are pharmacist that are licensed and actively practicing in Delaware, three members are physicians that are licensed and actively practicing in Delaware, and three members are from the public who have relevant health care experience. The pharmacists are nominated by the Delaware Pharmacist Society, the physicians are nominated by the Medical Society, and the public members are nominated by Department of Health and Social Services. A Board member is appointed for a three (3) year term and may be reappointed. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services appoints all DUR Board members. The Board elects from amongst its membership a Chairperson and Alternate Chairperson. The chairperson of the DUR Board presides at all meetings of the DUR Board. The Board holds meetings at least quarterly.

The DUR Board reviews and recommends those predetermined standards submitted to it by the Medicaid agency or the agency's contractor. The Board evaluates the use of predetermined standards, recommend guidelines governing written predetermined standards including modifications and elimination of existing predetermined standards, or the addition of new ones. The Board shall make recommendations for which mix of interventions would most effectively lead to improvement in the quality of drug therapy, periodically re-evaluate and if necessary, modify the interventions. The Department of Health and Social Services retains the authority to accept or reject the recommendations of the DUR Board.

The public may attend all open DUR Board meetings. The DUR Board may make and enforce reasonable rules regarding the conduct of persons attending its meetings. Opportunities shall be provided for individuals or citizens representing a group or groups to appear on the agenda. Requests to appear before the DUR Board shall be made in writing and received ten days before a scheduled meeting, including subject matter and speaker name in order that it may be included on the agenda. The ten day requirement may be waived by the Chairperson. The DUR Board will limit presentations to five (5) minutes, unless an extension is granted by the DUR Board.

All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. The meeting agenda and minutes can be found at http://www.dmap.state.de.us/information/pharmacy.html

Future meeting times and locations:

January 10, 2005, EDS Corporate Center
March 14, 2005, Delaware Technical and Community College, Stanton
May 9, 2005, Delaware Technical and Community College, Stanton
July 11, 2005, Delaware Technical and Community College, Stanton
September 12, 2005, Delaware Technical and Community College, Stanton
November 14, 2005, Delaware Technical and Community College, Stanton