In October, 1977, a cephalosporin drug-use review and an educational program were initiated to maximize savings in the pharmacy budget at UCSF and to revise the formulatory to include only one parenteral cephalosporin. The results of the drug-use review were presented to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee where our proposal for an education campaign to encourage appropriate dosing of cefazolin was approved. An explanatory document comparing cephalosporin costs and equivalency was developed for hospital-wide distribution. Pharmacy staffs were informed of program objectives to coordinate education efforts. Physician education was undertaken via document and personal contact with pharmacy personnel. A drug-use review one month after institution of the cephalosporin education program showed marked changes in physician prescribing habits, with greater impact on services where pharmacists were members of the medical rounding team. A change to appropriate dosage prescribing of cefazolin resulted in significant cost savings to the pharmacy budget. These findings resulted in formulary revision to cefazolin as the single cephalosporin available at UCSF. Because cefazolin is available from more than one manufacturer, we were able to obtain a lower bid price the following year, thus realizing an additional cost savings.
A survey was administered to a random sample of community pharmacy practitioners who participate as preceptors in clerkship programs for colleges of pharmacy throughout the country. The purpose of this survey was to determine (1) in what ways, if any, students have affected the preceptors' practices; (20 whether the students served as a sources of continuing education to the preceptors; (3) whether the preceptors identified areas of students' strengths/deficiencies; and (4) roles of colleges of pharmacy and pharmacy associations in providing continuing education programs for pharmacists. Results of this survey are discussed. Data are cross-tabulated for types of pharmacy services provided, years in practice, length of clerkship rotations, and other essential demographic information needed for evaluation. Based on responses, recommendations are made that will provide guidance to colleges of pharmacy, pharmaceutical associations, and practitioners currently involved or those who are considering involvement in clerkship programs.
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