P H A R M A G R A M    

...a memo from your Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee

 

November, 2005

Formulary Changes:

 

The immunosuppressant mycophenolate sodium (Myfortic®) was added to the Formulary. Although it posses the same pharmacologic properties as the current Formulary product mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept®),  Myfortic® comes as an easier to swallow tablet and is $6-7 per day less expensive. Currently, there is no indication for cardiac transplants.

Urokinase (Abbokinase®) and reteplase (Retevase®) were deleted from the Formulary due to the availability of alteplase (Ativase®), which has broader indications, provides at least equal efficacy and is less costly.

Tenecteplase (TNKase®) was denied Formulary addition due to the Formulary availability of alteplase 

 

Pharmacist Consult Notes in Carecast (IDX):

 

Starting December 1st, pharmacists’ consult notes pertaining to pharmacokinetic dosing and other patient-specific issues will be entered into the patient’s electronic medical record in Carecast and will no longer be written into the patient’s paper chart.

 

Nationwide Drug Shortages:

 

Nationwide, there are several significant drug shortages that have been reported, specifically intravenous immunoglobulin, vancomycin, piperacillin/tazobactam (Zosyn®) and topical epinephrine (Adrenaline®).  Thus far the impact locally has been minimal.  Judicious prescribing and reducing wastage will help avert mandatory rationing. For more information on these and other drug shortages, visit the Pharmacy website at: (http://library.osfhealthcare.org/Pharmacists.asp ). 

 

Your Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and the Drug Formulary:

 

The P&T Committee consists of 31 physicians and 8 members who represent support services and hospital administration. Maintenance of the Drug Formulary is among several areas of responsibility of this Committee. Physicians may request a drug to be added to the Formulary by completing a Formulary Addition Request form which is available from the Pharmacy Department or online at http://library.osfhealthcare.org/Pharmacists.asp . The Drug Analysis Work Group (DAWG) Subcommittee researches and reviews each drug request. Using a balanced scorecard approach which considers efficacy, safety, patient’s acceptance and cost, this Subcommittee makes recommendations to the P&T Committee for drug product approval, denial or removal. If judged by a patient’s physician to be clinically necessary, a one-time or one patient use of a non-Formulary product may be requested by the prescribing physician.  A Non-Formulary Request form (available from the Pharmacy Department or at the online site listed above) must be completed and the physician must contact the P&T Committee Chairman prior to the drug order being processed.

 

ADE (Adverse Drug Event) Hotline: 655-6805