Developing a pharmaceutical formulary for joint military medical operations.
This article describes the development of a standardized formulary for medical contingency operations for any theater of operations. The article compares peacetime health care systems within the Department of Defense and the formulary systems developed and used within the fixed facility environment with Department of Defense contingency health care operations systems and the complications encountered while attempting formulary development for the deployed environment. Despite great difficulties, the Joint Readiness Clinical Advisory Board developed, published, and marketed a jointly approved, standardized, modernized formulary to assist forces deploying for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The process used by the Joint Readiness Clinical Advisory Board during formulary development is described in detail, giving readers an understanding of the foundations of the Joint Deployment Formulary. The military departments will experience the benefits of enhanced supply chain predictability and responsiveness, increased clinician satisfaction, and improved patient safety and health care quality by implementing the Joint Deployment Formulary for their forces engaged in contingency operations.
Caouette
Marc L
ML
Pharmacy Branch, Department of Clinical Support Services, Academy of Health Sciences, U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, 3151 Scott Road, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005572:Formularies, Hospital as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008889:Military Personnel; D016134:Organizational Policy; D014481:United States; D014857:Warfare