84-14 Pharmacy and therapeutics committee

 The pharmacy and therapeutics committee shall be appointed in conformity with these bylaws and have representation from medical staff, nursing, pharmacy department, and hospital administration. The majority of members shall be members of the medical staff. The committee shall meet at least quarterly and carry out the following duties:

(A)  Review the appropriateness, safety, and effectiveness of the prophylactic, empiric, and therapeutic use of drugs, including antibiotics, through the analysis of individual or aggregate patterns of drug practice.

(B)  Provide the medical and hospitals staff with information and advice concerning the proper use of drugs and related products. Monitor and evaluate those drugs which are most prescribed, known to present problems or risks to patients, and which constitute a critical part of a patient's specific diagnosis, condition or procedure.

(C)  Consider the welfare of patients as well as education, research and economic factors when analyzing the utilization of drugs and related products.

(D)  Advise on the use and control of experimental drugs.

(E)  Develop or approve policies and procedures relating to the selection, distribution, use, handling, and administration of drugs and diagnostic testing materials.

(F)  Review all significant untoward drug reactions.

(G)  Maintain the Formulary of Accepted Drugs with review of proposed additions and deletions and review of use of non-formulary drugs within the institution.

(H)  Maintain written reports of conclusions, recommendations, actions taken, and the results of actions taken, and report these at least quarterly to the medical staff administrative committee.

(I)  Create sub-committees with defined responsibilities and scope and appoint members with expertise in specified areas.

(Board approval dates: 4/7/2000, 9/6/2002, 4/6/2016, 8/15/2023)