Promoting therapeutic information to the medical stsff: the evidence based-formulary

ABSTRACT

The potential of the hospital formulary system to guide physicians in prescribing the best drugs has not been realized. We describe a model for the transfer of clinically relevant research information about drugs to prescribers with the goal of improving prescribing behavior. A key element of the coordinated implementation model is that; physicians practice within an environment where competing influences affect prescribing behavior; drug advertising is one important influence. Clinically relevant research about drugs is necessary, but by itself is not sufficient to ensure its use. We propose a formulary organized by licensed indications and based on the evidence-based paradigm as a central element in an ongoing process to improve prescribing behavior by promoting the use of clinically relevant research