Establishing a research fund in a hospital pharmacy department

Development of a fund to support research in the pharmacy department of a community hospital is described. Finding research money difficult to obtain from industry or government sources, members of the pharmacy staff created a research fund from their own resources. Staff members donated time spent preparing and presenting educational programs such as seminars and workshops, and profits from these programs were designated for research. In addition, the hospital allowed direct contributions to the fund through payroll deductions. A board comprising pharmacists, physicians, and the hospital's legal counsel was formed to request, receive, and review grant proposals and to award funds. Objectives of the research fund were to facilitate staff development and recognition; improve communication and managerial skills of those planning the program, administering it, and conducting the actual research; and enhance recruitment efforts. More than +21,000 has been raised, and the first project, a microcomputer-based pharmacokinetic dosing program, has been completed.