Pharmacist selection of allergy medication based on patient response to trial regimens

A trial medication package program was developed by an HMO for patients with allergic rhinitis, "hayfever," and related allergies. The use, patient evaluation, and cost savings of the program are reported. Physicians, nurse clinicians, and physician assistants refer patients into the allergy program for consultation with pharmacists. The pharmacists administering the program conduct a medication history, discuss the appropriate use of the medication in the trial package, and instruct the patient to call at the end of the trial for evaluation of the program, when two 30-dosage-unit refills for the most effective medication are available to the patient. The trial package consists of three sustained release antihistamine-decongestant preparations, a single-entity, short-acting antihistamine, and a single-entity, short-acting decongestant. The patient is charged $2 for the trial package program; the medication is provided by pharmaceutical companies at no cost. More than 300 patients were referred into the program in 1979. The program was evaluated as 'excellent-good' by 88% of 100 patients. The average savings were $3 per patient.