Antisubstitution law changes and the hospital formulary system

The effects of amendments to state antisubstitution laws on the hospital formulary system are discussed. The approaches of four states--California, Michigan, Minnesota and Delaware--are reviewed. It is concluded that the legal basis of the hospital formulary system remains intact regardless of the changes in state antisubstitution laws.

Hospital formularies: organizational aspects and supplementary components

The organizational aspects and supplementary components of 44 formularies in teaching hospitals of 500 beds or more were compared. The aspects of formularies studied included prescribing regulations and technical aids, economic considerations, information on pharmacy services and procedures, information regarding drug products, hospital regulations, and format and readability. Many inconsistencies were found in the organization of the formularies and in the types of supplementary sections they included. It is suggested that the formulary has not been employed effectively as a document for transmitting drug information and hospital regulations.

Centralized drug list production in a multihospital system

A project established to maintain individualized station drug lists for a nationwide network of hospitals and clinics is described. The structure of the drug lists and procedures used in their production are described in detail. A central location controls keypunching, data processing and printing. The pharmacist at each station is responsible for drug list maintenance. Each staton's formulary is stored on digital magnetic tape. Sharing development costs by all stations and using a single printing facility resulted in a cost-effective system.

Pharmacy use of the shared hospital accounting system

Three uses of the Shared Hospital Accounting System (SHAS) by pharmacies in two hospitals are described. Improvements in the inventory control system, more accurate drug usage information and formulary drug lists are benefits derived through the use of this computer system. It is recommended that pharmacists practicing in hospitals using SHAS implement sismilar programs.

Pharmacy newsletter evaluation by nurses

A survey of staff nurses was conducted to determine readership and evaluate the usefullness of a pharmacy newsletter. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 50 nurses. Of the respondents, 91% claimed to read the newsletter at least occasionally. Formulary and pharmacy policy information was considered most important. Interest in drug quizzes and features concerning drug therapy appeared to be high enough to make the newsletter an aid to inservice education. Readership was felt to be at a sufficient level to justify publication of a regular monthly newsletter for staff nurses.

Drug use and distribution in a pain rehabilitation center

A 23-bed hospital unit specializing in rehabilitating patients suffering from chronic pain by (1) reducing their consumption of and dependence on medication, (2) increasing their level of daily activity and (3) discouraging pain-oriented behavior is described. In addition to aspirin or acetaminophen, four drugs--amitriptyline, diphenylhydantoin, cobra venom extract and methadone--are used to reduce pain while other therapeutic measures are used to rehabilitate the patients. Methods for reducing the amount of analgesics taken by chronic pain patients are discussed. Unit dose packaging is used because the oral solid dosage forms (including placebos) are made to look alike.