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Biomedical subjects

T D Rucker

Publications and source records attributed to T D Rucker.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Superior hospital formularies: a critical analysis.

The drug monograph section of eight superior hospital formularies was examined to (1) determine the type of pharmaceuticals, including dosage forms, listed, (2) delineate patterns of concurrence and divergence in drug acceptance, and (3) ascertain quantitative benchmarks by therapeutic category that may suggest optimum formulary size. The survey also undertook a comparative analysis of marginal drugs and reviewed the role of pharmacy personnel in supporting formulary administration. The critique of pharmaceutical preparations revealed significant patterns of similarity, heterogeneity, perplexity, and redundancy. The investigation also documented problems in dosage form selection and formulary publication. The report concludes that there is a need for more comprehensive studies that incorporate alternative quality assurance methods and focus on the more intangible factors of professional leadership and integrity.

Dosage Forms↗
PubMed1980

The Medicaid drug program in Louisiana: critique of the Hefner-Pracon Study.

Critiqued is a study that concluded a restrictive state Medicaid formulary caused an adverse impact on health and increased the cost of nondrug services. The study is criticized because the state's drug restrictions were not of major import, the before and after date were handled in a simplistic manner, and no distinction was made between correlation and causation. Readers should proceed cautiously before accepting the results of research projects sponsored or disseminated by interested parties.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1980

The top-selling drug products: how good are they?

The hypothesis that the most frequently prescribed drugs are clinically superior to existing competitive products was tested. The 200 drug preparations most frequently dispensed in community pharmacies, covering 163 separate drug entities, were rated for therapeutic acceptability by using 10 independent indicators, five of positive opinion and five of negative opinion. Less than 47% of the drug entities satisfied the criterion of clinical superiority. At least 25% apparently should be excluded altogether as drugs of choice. Within the limitations of the study model, the results indicate that a given drug's popularity among prescribers is not related to clinical superiority of the product.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1979

Relative drug safety and efficacy: any help for the practitioner?

Approaches are discussed for assuring that the most useful entity is prescribed when a drug is the treatment of choice. Several attributes of pharmaceutical preparations that are likely to influence health status are mentioned. Three models for increasing drug-of-choice prescribing are discussed: the regulatory model, the formulary model, and the drug use review model. Four options regarding formulary preparation are presented: the federal government, a consortium of professional groups, regional expert committees, or local groups. Research is needed to determine which methods hold promise for increasing the frequency of rational prescribing.

Drug Information Services↗
PubMed1976

Drug information for prescribers and dispensers: toward a model system.

Four alternative ways of providing health care professionals with drug information are examined in terms of medical and social values. It is assumed that maximum patient benefit will result when prescribing decisions can be made in an environment of enlightened neutrality. The alternative of maintaining the status quo is discarded because it does little to provide practitioners with complete data. The second alternative notes major reforms that would further regulate promotional efforts and upgrade the qualifications of detailmen. Because this approach yields a suboptimum solution, a third alternative introduces the concept of a National Drug Education Foundation. This countervailing force would disseminate objective drug information to clinicians through 2,000 therapeutic consultants, subsidize professional journals and schools, develop regional drug information centers, and conduct a variety of related functions. Foundation operations are estimated to cost $167 million per year or about one-seventh of current expenditures for drug promotion and information. Since commercial inputs would not only be redundant but also tend to negate Foundation efforts, the fourth model contends that social benefits can be optimized only when such outlays are terminated.

Advertising↗
PubMed1976

Hospital formularies: organizational aspects and supplementary components.

The organizational aspects and supplementary components of 44 formularies in teaching hospitals of 500 beds or more were compared. The aspects of formularies studied included prescribing regulations and technical aids, economic considerations, information on pharmacy services and procedures, information regarding drug products, hospital regulations, and format and readability. Many inconsistencies were found in the organization of the formularies and in the types of supplementary sections they included. It is suggested that the formulary has not been employed effectively as a document for transmitting drug information and hospital regulations.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗