Pharmacy and therapeutics committee review of the parenteral cephalosporins.

The process by which a 530-bed university hospital reduced, from three to one, the number of parenteral cephalosporins in its formulary is discussed. In January 1975, cephapirin sodium was added to the formulary which already included cefazolin sodium and cephalothin sodium. Nine months later, the pharmacy and therapeutics committee decided to delete cephapirin and cephalothin from the formulary. The pharmacy department had supplied background information to the committee, and infectious disease specialists advised the committee. The decision was ratified by the executive committee of the medical staff. The rationale for the decision and its implementation, including staff communications, are discussed.