Biomedical subjects

Surrey M Walton

Publications and source records attributed to Surrey M Walton.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of pharmacist and pharmacist-extender workforce in 1998--2000: assessing predictors and differences across states.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of supply and demand factors on filled positions for pharmacists and pharmacist extenders (pharmacist technicians and aides) and assess differences across states through analysis of state-level pharmacist labor market data. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: Not applicable. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: State-level counts of filled pharmacist and pharmacist-extender positions, wages, and various available demographic, health, policy, and other factors related to the pharmacist labor market. RESULTS: Across states, the total population and the number of community pharmacy prescriptions were very accurate predictors (R2 = 0.99) of the number of pharmacist and pharmacist-extender positions, and all other variables were insignificant after these two variables were controlled for. Pharmacists and pharmacist-extenders were positively correlated, and the ratio of the two was not related to observable policy-related variables. Outlying states, in terms of simple pharmacist-to-population ratios, were difficult to categorize. CONCLUSION: Future changes in prescriptions are likely to affect the pharmacist and pharmacist-extender labor markets. Across states, pharmacists and extenders relate as complements rather than substitutes. The number of pharmacist graduates and state-level regulations regarding technician-to-pharmacist ratios appears to have a small effect on filled positions across states.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Challenges to the pharmacist profession from escalating pharmaceutical demand.

Unexpected growth in medication use has escalated demand for pharmacists that has outpaced supply. Responses to the pharmacist shortage include larger workloads and greater use of pharmacist extenders and technology. As the profession has moved from a product orientation (dispensing medications) to a patient focus, clinical training requirements have expanded. However, structural and process barriers, particularly in community and retail pharmacies, must be addressed to improve the medication-use process. These issues merit greater attention from health care leaders and policymakers.

Drug Prescriptions↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cost-effectiveness analysis and the formulary decision-making process.

BACKGROUND: Faced with high drug expenditures in an environment of cost containment, drug formulary systems, particularly in managed care, have become more dependent on pharmacoeconomic evaluations to assess the value of new products. Within pharmacoeconomics (PE), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is the most commonly used method. However, current methodological concerns about CEA have limited its practical contribution to the formulary process. Advances in analysis are likely to improve the relevance of CEA over time. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to review CEA, its limitations, and its applications in formulary decision making in order to promote greater utility of CEA for managed care pharmacists. SUMMARY: Enhancements to CEA, such as the development of modeling software, rank-order stability analysis, cost-consequence analysis (CCA), and budget impact analysis are discussed. A combined method of CCA-CEA and standardized guidelines are suggested to improve the impact of CEA in the drug formulary process. CONCLUSION: Along with advances in its methodology and relevant standardized guidelines, CEA will gain increased importance in formulary decision making, helping to assure the goal of cost containment while ensuring quality of care.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗