P & T Committee interview: Establishing and maintaining a dynamic formulary.

In an exclusive interview with Hospital Formulary, Dr. Stephen Rostand and Mr. Herman Lazarus--the P & T Committee Chairman and Secretary of the University of Alabama Hospital--share their experiences in establishing an effective, functional formulary system. Discussed in this interview are the current activities of this Committee which include: reviewing adherence to an established Committee guideline on an effective antibiotic dosing regimen, creating a more effective adverse drug reaction reporting system, and establishing a computerized program to alert prescribers to the possibility of drug-drug interactions. By their willingness to cooperate, communicate, and remain flexible to medical staff requests, this 15-member Committee has been able to maintain a dynamic formulary.