Volume : 13, Issue : 06, June – 2026
Title:
PHARMACIST-DRIVEN MANAGEMENT OF PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE: INDIVIDUALIZED THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES AND THE ROLE OF DIGITAL CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT
Authors :
Adiba Fathima*, Mohammed Baqtiyar Ahmed, Rahila Amjad, Syed Mohammed Hussain, Dr.P.Soma Shekhar
Abstract :
Background: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a major cause of gastrointestinal morbidity worldwide, affecting millions annually. The dual burden of Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use underpins the majority of cases. In India, an estimated 70–80% seroprevalence of H. pylori in the adult population, combined with widespread over-the-counter analgesic use, places working-class populations — particularly those served by Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) hospitals — at disproportionate risk. Clinical pharmacists, equipped with expertise in pharmacotherapy optimization, drug interaction surveillance, and patient-centred education, occupy a strategically important yet frequently underutilized role in PUD management.
Objectives: This review aims to (1) characterize the pathophysiology and epidemiology of PUD with relevance to Indian clinical settings; (2) critically appraise current evidence-based eradication and acid suppression strategies; (3) delineate the clinical pharmacist’s role across the continuum of PUD care; and (4) evaluate the application of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) and mobile health platforms in pharmacist-led PUD management.
Methods: A narrative review of published literature was conducted, drawing on landmark randomized controlled trials, international consensus guidelines (Maastricht VI/Florence 2022, ACG 2017), systematic reviews, and pharmacist intervention studies published between 2017 and 2024. Evidence from Indian and lower-middle-income country (LMIC) settings was prioritized where available.
Key Findings: Structured pharmacist interventions — encompassing individualized eradication regimen selection, systematic medication reconciliation, adherence counseling, and post-treatment confirmation testing — have demonstrated improvements in H. pylori eradication rates by 18–28% and reductions in gastrointestinal adverse events from NSAID use by up to 34%. Integration of rule-based CDSS into pharmacy workflows reduces inappropriate PPI prescribing, identifies clinically significant drug interactions, and facilitates guideline-concordant therapy selection. mHealth tools, including WhatsApp-based counseling, offer a cost-effective adherence support mechanism in resource-limited settings.
Conclusion: Clinical pharmacists represent an underdeployed resource in PUD management whose integration into structured, digitally-enabled care pathways can significantly improve patient outcomes in Indian hospital settings. This review proposes a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for pharmacist-led PUD care applicable to ESI hospitals and similar resource-constrained environments.
Keywords: Peptic ulcer disease; Helicobacter pylori; clinical pharmacist; proton pump inhibitors; NSAID gastroprotection; clinical decision support system; H. pylori eradication; medication adherence; mHealth; ESI Hospital.
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Adiba Fathima et al., Pharmacist-Driven Management Of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Individualized Therapeutic Strategies And The Role Of Digital Clinical Decision Support.., Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(06).
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