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Development of a limited formulary for general practice.
Lancet (London, England)
|May 4, 1985
Summary
General practitioners developed a 137-drug formulary to treat 90% of patients, offering a model for cost reduction without limiting clinical freedom. This collaborative approach promotes rational and safer prescribing practices.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Health Economics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Rising prescription costs necessitate cost-effective prescribing strategies.
- Imposed limited drug lists can restrict clinical freedom and patient care.
- General practitioners require practical tools for rational drug selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a model for creating agreed-upon local formularies in general practice.
- To establish a limited drug formulary suitable for 90% of general practice patients.
- To provide an alternative to imposed drug lists that preserves clinical freedom and reduces costs.
Main Methods:
- A diverse group of general practitioners collaborated over one year.
- A limited formulary of 137 drugs was constructed.
- The formulary was designed for adequate and appropriate treatment of common conditions.
Main Results:
- A 137-drug general practice formulary was successfully developed.
- The formulary aims to cover 90% of general practice patient needs.
- The process served as an educational exercise, fostering rational prescribing.
Conclusions:
- A collaborative development of local formularies is a viable model.
- This approach balances cost reduction with clinical freedom.
- The developed formulary promotes more rational and safer prescribing in general practice.