DL: P&T

Question 1

What is pharmacy informatics?

Answer 1

Field that focuses on medication-related data and knowledge with the continuum of healthcare in the delivery of optimal medication related patient care and health outcomes

Question 2

What are P&T committees?

Answer 2

The group responsible for overseeing all aspects of drug therapy in an institution.

Used by organizations to improve drug therapy and lower costs.

Question 3

What is on a drug formulary?

Answer 3

1. A list of drugs a Hospital keeps in stock
2. A list of drugs an insurance co. will pay for and how much they will pay
3. It should represent the objective and unbiased clinical judgement of physicians, pharmacists, and other specialists
4. Not just a list of drugs

Question 4

What should a drug formulary provide?

Answer 4

1. List of meds available
2. Basic data about each drug (names, strengths, dosage forms, usual dose, and cost)
3. Policies and procedures for use of drugs –algorithms, Dosing, guidelines, Nomograms, Approved abbreviations

Question 5

Who is in P&T committee?

Answer 5

1. Physicians – from a variety of specialties
2. Pharmacists – usually pharmacy director or clinical coordinator
3. Nurses
4. Administrators, executives
5. Respiratory therapist
6. Dietician
7. Lab. Tech

Question 6

What are the functions of a P&T committee?

Answer 6

1. Determine what drugs will be available on formulary
2. Who can prescribe specific drugs
3. Policies and procedures regarding drug use, including pharmacy policies and procedures, clinical protocols, standard order sets, and clinical guidelines
4. What to do about counterfeit drugs or drug shortages
5. Performance improvement and quality assurance activities (e.g. drug utilization review and compliance surveillance)
6. Assess medication safety reports
7. Address adverse drug reactions/medication Errors
8. Educate health care providers (HCP) in drug use

Question 7

What are some P&T drug info activities?

Answer 7

1. Drug monographs for drugs being considered for formulary addition
2. Standard Class Reviews
3. Guideline Reviews
4. Quality Assurance
5. Policies and Procedures
6. Changes in drugs on formulary
7. The Joint Commission (TJC) requires annual evaluation of all drugs and/or drug classes

Question 8

What can be considered as cost factors?

Answer 8

1. Cost of drug
2. Lab. Monitoring
3. Length of therapy
4. Nursing care demands
5. Rehospitalization rates
6. Opportunity cost
7. Reimbursement

Question 9

What are the formulary addition eval criteria?

Answer 9

1. Indication
2. Effectiveness
3. Risks (ADRs, interactions, med errors)
4. Cost

Question 10

How do you save money on drugs?

Answer 10

1. Buying Power (bulk buying)
2. Decreased expirations
3. Opportunity Cost
4. Rarely used drugs
5. Shelf space matters

Question 11

What do P&T subcommittee do?

Answer 11

1. Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) monitoring and reporting system
2. Maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance with TJC anticoagulant goals
3. Promote antibiotic stewardship
4. Review med errors