THE VALUE OF PHARMACIST

(http://www.mps.org.my)

Some of the studies that conclude that pharmacists patient care services can significantly reduce overall health care costs.

· Health problems resulting from improperly taken prescription medications cost more than $177 billion each year – more than the cost of the drugs themselves. {Ernst FR, Grizzle, AJ. Drug-Related Morbidity and Mortality: Updating the Cost-of-Illness Model: Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association. 2001. Mar-Apr; 41 (2): 192-199.}
· Pharmacists' services in an intensive care unit decreased adverse events by 66%, saving $270,000. {Leape LL. Cullen DJ, Dempsey Clapp M, et al. Pharmacist participation on physician rounds and adverse drug events in intensive care unit. JAMA 1999 July21; 282(3): 267-70.}
· Pharmacists' services at a Veterans Administration outpatient clinic reduced the number of medications taken by an average of 2.4 prescriptions per person. {Galt KA. Cost avoidance acceptance, and outcomes associated with pharmacotherapy consult clinic in a Veterans Affairs medical center. Pharmacotherapy 1998 Sept.-Oct.; 18(5): 1103-11}
· Pharmacists in long-term care facilities save an estimated $3.7 billion by improving patient care services. {The Fleetwood Project, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists}
· Services provided in community pharmacies saved approximately $3.47 per prescription. {Dobie RL, Rascati KL. Documenting the value of pharmacists’ interventions. American Pharmacy. 1994; May; NS34(5): 50-4}

The studies may be conducted some time ago and it goes to show that the values of pharmacists have long been established.