A novel formulary: collaboration between health care professionals, seniors, private sector and government in Nova Scotia.
A novel formulary has been developed in Nova Scotia with the objective of providing quality treatment with needed medications at affordable cost. Creation of the formulary has involved collaboration among health care professionals, seniors, the Department of Health and pharmaceutical companies. This is the first Canadian formulary to use the Anatomic, Therapeutic, Chemical system. Drug listing is comprehensive rather than exclusive. Colour-coded recommendations on use assist physicians with drug choice. Relative costs are indicated within each therapeutic grouping. Listings indicate drugs approved for reimbursement, interchangeable medications, maximum allowable cost, drug identification number and manufacturer code. Treatment summaries provide brief overviews of therapeutic advice. Updates on new products and new or modified treatment summaries are provided every 6 months. The formulary will be the focus of coordinated educational activities on treatment for seniors and health care professionals.
Carruthers
S G
SG
Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London. medsgc@julian.uwo.ca
D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation; D016527:Drug Costs; D005569:Formularies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D009674:Nova Scotia; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency