Pharmacist's role in home i.v. therapy

The pharmacist's role in home i.v. therapy is described, and its relationship to the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act is discussed. Congress, in enacting the catastrophic coverage act, has recognized the need for pharmaceutical services in the provision of home i.v. therapy. Pharmacists must recognize their responsibilities in providing these services. These responsibilities include ensuring the quality of drug therapy, monitoring patient progress, advocating cost-effective therapy, and communicating with local health-care providers. Pharmacists should also educate hospital administrators about the effects of the act, suggest how the hospital can best provide home i.v. therapy, assume responsibility for overseeing the home i.v. therapy process, and help ensure compliance with the interpretive regulations of the act. Other responsibilities of pharmacists include educating potential beneficiaries about the need to pay the coinsurance and premiums for catastrophic coverage and advocating home i.v. therapy as a reasonable alternative to hospitalization. Pharmacists should become familiar with the Standards for the Accreditation of Home Care adopted by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations because these standards may be considered when the conditions for provider participation are established by the Department of Health and Human Services. The home i.v. therapy provision of the catastrophic coverage act presents challenges for pharmacists. Appropriate pharmacist involvement should help reduce costs and ensure optimal health care.