RCGP statement in response to research paper presented at
the Renal Association Conference 2007
The use of MDRD GFR has the potential to cause
significant drug dosing errors*
Professor Mayur Lakhani, Chair of the Royal
College of General Practitioners (RCGP), says:
"I am concerned to read of this important
paper. Prescribing in the presence of renal disease is fraught with
difficulty and GPs are right to be cautious in their approach.
"The goal posts have rapidly changed in what
we mean by renal disease: GPs have been used to dealing with
creatinine measurements and creatinine clearances as a basis for
making prescribing decisions. Now all the talk is about eGFRs and
quite rightly so - but prescribing datasheets and advice must be
updated.
"It is now essential that clear guidance is
developed to support GPs who do the bulk of prescribing,
particularly for patients with complex co-morbidity. Information
for GPs which is embedded in the clinical computer prescribing
modules is the way forward so that decision support is on hand,
automated, and contributes to patient safety."
Ends
* J. B. Levy, A. Amin, R. Betoumi, B. Dean Franklin of the
West London Renal and Transplant Centre, Hammersmith Hospital,
London