Use of pharmacoeconomic data in making hospital formulary decisions

Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2002 Aug 1;59(15):1441-4. doi: 10.1093/ajhp/59.15.1441.

Abstract

The use of pharmacoeconomic data in hospital formulary decisions was explored. Data were collected from pharmacist members of pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committees in 204 Florida hospitals. Participants were asked, via a cross-sectional telephone survey, to rate 10 factors used in making formulary decisions from 1 (most important) to 10 (least important). Participants were also asked about the usual sources of pharmacoeconomic data used by the P&T committee, the types of pharmacoeconomic analyses and humanistic outcome measures that have been used by the P&T committee to make formulary decisions, and the availability of someone with pharmacoeconomic skills to assist with the formulary decision-making. The average time spent collecting data was 19 minutes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Eighty-six percent of the participants indicated that pharmacoeconomic data were used all the time or very often when formulary decisions were made, with only 6% stating that these data were rarely or never used. Pharmacoeconomic data were rated by 63% of participants to be very important in formulary decisions. The usual sources of pharmacoeconomic data listed by participants are inhouse data (75%), published literature (57%), and pharmaceutical industry studies (13%). Participants rated drug efficacy, toxicity, and side effects as the most important and avoiding use of home infusions as the least important factors in making hospital formulary decisions. About 70% of the hospitals had someone with pharmacoeconomic skills on staff, while 4% reported consulting with an external pharmacoeconomics expert. Most P&T committees in Florida hospitals relied on pharmacoeconomic data to assist them in making formulary decisions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Data Collection
  • Decision Making*
  • Economics, Pharmaceutical*
  • Florida
  • Formularies, Hospital as Topic*
  • Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee / organization & administration*