Hospital formularies: organizational aspects and supplementary components.

The organizational aspects and supplementary components of 44 formularies in teaching hospitals of 500 beds or more were compared. The aspects of formularies studied included prescribing regulations and technical aids, economic considerations, information on pharmacy services and procedures, information regarding drug products, hospital regulations, and format and readability. Many inconsistencies were found in the organization of the formularies and in the types of supplementary sections they included. It is suggested that the formulary has not been employed effectively as a document for transmitting drug information and hospital regulations.