The role of the clinical pharmacist in the institutional setting

The role of the clinical pharmacist in the institutional setting has been expanding at an ever increasing rate. His role as a clinical consultant with the rounding team has become firmly established. This is supplemented with rational product selection utilizing a hospital formulary. Both clinical pharmacokinetics and nutrition are services that benefit the patient directly in his inpatient environment. Toxicology and drug information provided directly to the consumer has also become accepted. Services provided to institution-wide committees allow a comprehensive understanding of the selection, delivery, and follow-up of medication administration to the patient. Many of these services described have become reimbursable by third-party carriers and other appropriate agencies. As other services are reimbursed, the role of the clinical pharmacist will expand beyond the limited scopes discussed in this paper.