Pharmacist impact on drug use in an institution for the mentally retarded

Pharmacist involvement on a team developed to monitor drug use in an institution for the mentally retarded is described, and the results of the team's efforts are reported. The behavioral review committee consisted of a physician, pharmacist(s), nurses, psychologists, sociologists and therapists. The pharmacists reviewed the patients' charts and pharmacy records to compile a complete drug history on a special "drug calender" form. The pharmacist visited the patient to determine current problems, the effectiveness of therapy and the presence of adverse drug reactions. Recommendations were than made to the committee. During the two-year study period, the use of antipsychotic drugs was reduced 18%; antianxiety-antidepressant drugs, 50%; sedative-hypnotics, 58%; and miscellaneous agents, 65%. The net savings in drug expenditures was more than $10,000 per year, Maladaptive behaviorial test results implied that the decreased drug use did not change behavior significantly. The study shows that the pharmacist, through a team approach, can help reduce the overuse of medications in institutions for the mentally retarded.