Shared pharmacy services: a cost-effective programme for small hospitals

A pilot project for shared pharmacy service was undertaken to investigate costs and benefits under an agreement established between University Hospital, London and South Huron Hospital, Exeter, Ontario. The programme involved the use of facsimile telecopiers to transmit direct copies of the physicians' orders to the Pharmacy Department at University Hospital where they were entered into the computerized pharmacy system. At South Huron Hospital therapy was initiated from floor stock while the drug, dispensed in unit-of-use packaging, was delivered to the Exeter Hospital by courier service. The shared service pharmacist visited South Huron Hospital once weekly for nursing orientations, inservice lectures, patient consultations, medical staff meetings and direct contact with physicians. With the approval of the Bureau of Dangerous Drugs the pharmacist delivered Narcotic and Schedule G medications once weekly. After three months the patient census and average number of medication orders per patient per day had increased. The hours of pharmacy operation were extended, while the medication costs per patient day were reduced from $2.16 to $1.64. A shared pharmacy service can result in an improved element of drug use control for smaller hospitals in a cost-effective manner.