Formulary conversion from glipizide to glyburide: a cost-minimization analysis.
Economic pressure prompted us to search for and implement cost-saving strategies at Bronx Municipal Hospital. This paper describes a cost-minimization analysis of the impact of formulary substitution of glyburide for glipizide on glycemic control, safety, and costs. In 76 patients with computerized prescription records, switching from a mean daily glipizide dose of 19 mg to a mean daily glyburide dose of 10.2 mg did not affect glycemic control. A subset of 33 elderly patients experienced only three drug-related adverse events during the 2-year observation period. The conversion program yielded a 51% reduction in overall expenditures for oral hypoglycemic agents between 1991 and 1993. These findings indicate that our conversion program was successful, which has led to its becoming a model for other New York City municipal outpatient pharmacies.
Bronx Municipal Hospital, NY 10461, USA.
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Nadel
D000368:Aged; D017046:Cost Savings / Q000379:methods; D016527:Drug Costs; D005572:Formularies, Hospital as Topic; D005913:Glipizide / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005905:Glyburide / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006773:Hospitals, Municipal / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000191:economics; D009519:New York City; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*