Formulary streamlining through therapeutic class review.

The authors describe their methods for streamlining the formulary at a small teaching hospital. The therapeutic drug review process comparatively examined pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, indications, side-effects, interactions, usage patterns, and costs within classes of medications. The information was presented in a table format which aided in the dissemination of large volumes of material and served as an educational tool for the medical and pharmacy staff. The goals of this program were avoidance of therapeutic duplication, assurance of efficacy, and cost containment without compromised patient outcome. The authors discuss methods for assuring intra-pharmacy and hospital wide cohesion in achieving the goals of formulary streamlining.