The influence of PHARMAC's National Hospital Pharmaceutical Strategy on Quality Use of Medicines activities in New Zealand hospitals.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of PHARMAC's National Hospital Pharmaceutical Strategy (NHPS) on Quality Use of Medicine (QUM) activities in New Zealand hospitals.


METHODS
In July 2002 and July 2004, a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey on QUM activities was administered to chief pharmacists at all 30 New Zealand public hospitals employing a pharmacist (29 in July 2004), to examine pre and post-NHPS activity.


RESULTS
Both surveys achieved a 97% response rate. A range of QUM activities were undertaken in hospitals. Overall, Drug Utilisation Reviews (DURs) significantly decreased (67 vs 42) (p<0.05), although antimicrobial guidelines and intranet formularies significantly increased (p<0.05). PHARMAC's QUM initiatives, still evolving, did not appear to positively influence QUM activity in 2002-4. In 2004, PHARMAC put their original plans to coordinate QUM activity on hold and chose to participate in the processes of the Safe and Quality use of Medicines Group (SQM). Formed in 2003 by the District Health Boards of New Zealand, SQM focused attention on anticoagulants and high-risk medicines.


CONCLUSIONS
QUM activities, similar in both periods, were not positively influenced by PHARMAC's Strategy.
Tordoff
June
J
School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin. june.tordoff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Norris
Pauline
P
Kennedy
Julia
J
Reith
David
D
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017723:Drug Utilization Review / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005572:Formularies, Hospital as Topic; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000078329:Workforce