Optimizing Outpatient Prescriptions Through Smarter Drug Substitution Strategies

Authors

Sahidul Islam , Alamgir Hossain Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Sonargaon University, Bangladesh， School of Automation, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Jiangsu, China Author

drug substitution, outpatient prescriptions, generic drugs, therapeutic interchange, prescription optimization, healthcare cost reduction.

Optimizing outpatient prescriptions is a growing challenge in healthcare systems due to rising drug costs, supply

chain disruptions, and the need for equitable access to essential medicines. Smarter drug substitution strategies—such

as generic substitution, therapeutic interchange, and algorithm-driven decision support—offer promising solutions to

reduce costs while maintaining treatment efficacy and patient safety. This paper examines the role of substitution

frameworks in outpatient care, highlights the economic and clinical rationale behind substitution, and discusses digital

and policy-based enablers that can standardize the practice. By leveraging artificial intelligence, real-time prescription

monitoring, and evidence-based guidelines, outpatient systems can balance cost efficiency with improved health

outcomes. The findings underscore that substitution must be carefully integrated into prescribing workflows with

consideration for patient trust, regulatory environments, and long-term health system sustainability