[Drug committee--an example of a quality circle]

A theoretical comparison was undertaken between the work of the drug committee and that of the quality circle in order to investigate whether quality circles are suited as methods for organisation of ensuring the standard of quality in Danish hospitals. On the basis of an investigation of the pharmaceutical service in hospitals, the work of the drug committees was analysed and assessed. The authors found that drug committees which worked according to quality circle principles achieved their goal: To rationalise the employment of drugs in routine treatment. The authors consider that formation of quality circles is a suitable method of ensuring quality in Danish hospitals but it would probably be of decisive significance for the result that the hospital direction assumed its responsibility for the results and for coordination of the circles.