Economic evaluations of adult critical care pharmacy services: a scoping review

To summarise the extent and type of evidence available regarding economic evaluations of adult critical care pharmacy services in the context of UK practice.

A literature search was conducted in eight electronic databases and hand searching of full-text reference lists. Of 2409 journal articles initially identified, 38 were included in the final review. Independent literature review was undertaken by two investigators in a two-step process against the inclusion and exclusion criteria; title and abstract screening were followed by full-text screening. Included studies were taken from high-income economy countries that contained economic data evaluating any key aspect of adult critical care pharmacy services. Grey literature and studies that could not be translated into the English language were excluded.

The majority were before-and-after studies (18, 47%) or other observational studies (17, 45%), and conducted in North America (25, 66%). None of the included studies were undertaken in the UK. Seven studies (18%) included cost-benefit analysis; all demonstrated positive cost-benefit values for clinical pharmacist activities.

Further high-quality primary research focussing on the economic evaluation of UK adult critical care pharmacy services is needed, before undertaking a future systematic review. There is an indication of a cost-benefit value for critical care pharmacist activities. The lack of UK-based economic evaluations is a limitation to further development and standardisation of critical care pharmacy services nationally.