Producing and evaluating a formulary for a community pharmacy

Abstract

The formulary is set up in a local community pharmacy and aims to encourage rational, effective, safe prescribing. It limits extravagance by including drugs recommended by the specialities in a particular area. The formulary system is based on: • Flexibility by adapting immediately to ongoing needs of prescriber and patient • Willingness to accept change • Participation of the prescriber in the process of drug evaluation

The formulary is set up for Regional Pharmacy, a typical pharmacy in Msida, Malta. The formulary is set up using the Database program Dbase 3 plus. Products included are medicines. diagnostic tests performed in the pharmacy, vaccines, baby care items, foot care items, medicated skin care items, wound management items, incontinency accessories, food supplements and dental care items. The formulary was first issued in November 1994 with 956 drugs and a total of 1094 items. The items were classified according to the shelf number and in order at trade name. The formulary includes the product formulation, shelf number and price of each item. Subsequently the formulary was issued in December, January and March. To date, the formulary is published every 3 months. Monthly Updates are produced whereby drugs included in the formulary, drugs deleted from the formulary and a list of drugs clue to expire in the next 3 months are brought to the attention of all pharmacists and prescribers.