Preliminary observations on the Quality Assurance Service Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Program

In 1979, the College of American Pathologists introduced a Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Interregional Daily Quality Control Program. Each participant uses lyophilized, reconstituted control material at normal and elevated levels. Nine drugs are provided at each level. These include phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, ethosuximide, phenytoin, theophylline, digoxin, quinidine, and gentamicin. These specimens are run daily in the individual participating laboratory as part of a routine quality control program. Results are submitted for data processing to the CAP Computer Center. This report presents preliminary data and observations from the Program.