[Pharmacist drug dispensing in clinical trials]

Dispensing experimental drugs in part of a pharmacist's task in the hospital since the 20.12.1988 law. A 13 month critical evaluation dispensing drugs for clinical trials is presented. Drug management, distribution and control in 61 new studies included 1,165 patients need a full time pharmacist. This new organization is well accepted by sponsors and investigators. The hospital pharmacist's contributions to clinical trials are: protocol application in hospital practice, nurses information, efficient and safe storage and distribution to patients. The pharmacist facilitates good clinical practices and quality assurance. The problem is that in many french hospitals the pharmaceutical department is chiefly a wholesale dealer for pharmaceutical products. Our opinion is that the pharmacists should deliver drugs to improve patient compliance.