Identification of Drug-Related Problems Using PCNE Classification in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Outpatients at Labuang Baji Hospital

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus requires prolonged and often complex pharmacotherapy, which increases the likelihood of drug-related problems and may compromise treatment safety. This study identified drug-related problems among outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Labuang Baji Regional General Hospital, Makassar, using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification version 9.1. A descriptive observational study with a retrospective design was conducted using outpatient medical records from August 2025 to February 2026. Total sampling yielded 35 patients who met the eligibility criteria, and medication regimens were evaluated for problems and causes within the classification framework. Most patients were 51–60 years old (63%), 51% were women, and hypertension was the leading comorbidity (42%). The review identified 43 problem events and 49 documented causes. A possibly occurring adverse drug event was the most frequent problem category (25 cases; 58%), followed by unnecessary treatment (13 cases; 30%). Inappropriate drug combinations were the leading cause (20 cases; 41%), followed by medicines without a documented indication (13 cases; 27%) and medicines that did not conform to guidelines or the formulary (11 cases; 22%). Drug-related problems remain common in this outpatient population and are driven mainly by medication selection and combination issues, supporting routine medication review and closer pharmacist involvement in long-term diabetes care.