Consultants’ ranking of criteria to be considered when deciding on whether to introduce a new drug on the formulary

The quality of drug utilisation may improve through facilitated retrieval of drug information. We compared drug therapy cost on two wards and conducted a secondary analysis of data from a controlled study. A drug-prescribing sheet was used on ward A for both the prescribing and administration of drugs. Duplicated drug records were used on ward B. Following a case-mix approach we compared prospectively collected data from 56 and 57 consecutive patients, admitted in 1999. Data were collected from medical records. Fixed sheduled drugs were coded as generic and brand name products. Drug costs were calculated on the basis of the pharmacy cost price (AMGROS) taking drug-price and schedule into account. Analysis was conducted from the viewpoint of the wards. The two groups were similar regarding length of stay and number of drugs on admittance and discharge. Mean drug costs per patient was Dkr. 182.07 (95%CI. 111.31- 270.15) (A) and 207.64 (95% Cl. 138.58- 290.61) (B), Student t-test, p= 0.64. Thirty one % (A) and 32% (B) of the prescriptions were not prescribed in accordance with the recommended drug list, chi square test, p= 0.70. Compliance with recommendations would have reduced drug costs per patient by Dkr. 9.54 (95% CI. 2.03- 17.06) (A) and 7.80 (95% Cl. 4.32-11.29) (B). We conclude that methods or recording drug prescriptions to not affect drug therapy costs on internal medicine wards.