No abstract

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 was enacted in November 2003 and became effective on January 1, 2006. Two major changes occurred. A prescription drug benefit is now available for seniors and younger persons with disabilities who are covered by Medicare. The managed care program, formerly known as Medicare + Choice, has been redesigned and renamed Medicare Advantage.

A s agents are introduced to the market, an evaluation is necessary to determine the formulary status of each new drug. This usually is accomplished by completing a general review of formulary drugs in the same class. Such a comparison includes indications for use, clinical pharmacology, clinical efficacy, adverse reactions, and cost. Antibiotics are one of the most costly groups of drugs on any formulary. Most drug budgets allot up to 25% of total expenditures to the purchase of antimicrobial agents. This review will focuson 3 fluoroquinolone agents and the tools used when formulary decisions are made (1).

No abstract

No abstract