Pharmacists revise position on formularies

The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, Alexandria, VA, released a revised position statement supporting the appropriate design and use of drug formularies.

The academy's board of directors adopted the revised position statement in an effort to better inform the public, policy-makers and other health care professionals about the role formularies play in fostering the appropriate and effective use of prescription medications.

"A formulary enhances the quality of care by encouraging the use of those prescription medications that are demonstrated to be safe, effective and produce superior patient outcomes," according to the position statement.

The academy said a formulary works best when it supports and operates in conjunction with other tools that promote quality and optimal results, such as drug utilization review and medical treatment guidelines and prescribing protocols.

"Drug costs are not the overriding factor in determining which drugs to include on the formulary," according to the academy. "Decisions are also based in part on results of clinical trials, scientific studies, evaluation of the drug's role in disease treatment guidelines, comparisons with other like products and data that reflect the drug's actual or projected use in specific patient populations." PR