The Choosing Wisely Initiative and Esomeprazole Over-Prescription

Abstract

The choosing wisely initiative of the Adaa program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aimed to improve physician-patient interaction to plan their care while avoiding the unnecessary and inappropriate tests, treatments, and procedures that increase the cost while adding no benefit in the health-related outcome of the patient. Of the many avoidable treatment medications, the one noted and selected is the over and misuse of esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), used for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcers, etc. The drug is commonly prescribed in clinical practice in general and over-the-counter in specific. As the published literature reports major adverse events associated with the drug, there is a need for a controlled prescription in selected cases to avoid its overprescription. In compliance with the choosing wisely initiative of Adaa health, we surveyed a regional secondary care facility (Baish General Hospital) after a twelve-week rigorous health education program for physicians and patients and concluded a substantial reduction in the prescription of esomeprazole. The survey findings; indicate the beneficial effects of teaching programs on avoidable treatment options to opt for suitable alternatives which will be both productive and cost-effective.