One formulary, multiple benefits

Single provincial drug list enhances patient care and safety

Albertans can be assured they are receiving the safest, most cost-effective medications wherever they are in the province.

The Alberta Health Services (AHS) Hospital Formulary is a list of medications approved for use in acute care facilities. Alberta is the only province with a single acute care formulary.

“It’s really about patient safety and patient care,” says Gail Hufty, vice-president of Pharmacy Services. “A very thoughtful process has occurred in considering each drug.”

Every medication in the formulary has been reviewed for safety, effectiveness and cost. Front-line pharmacists and clinicians from all parts of Alberta contributed to the list, which took nine months to compile.

“The formulary ensures consistent provision of medication and care across the province,” says Karen Horon, director, Practice & Therapeutic Standards & Support, Pharmacy Services for AHS.

“Developing the formulary was a very collaborative process,” Horon adds. “We received lots of feedback from front-line groups, and went to great effort to ensure every area of the province was consulted.”

The formulary also saves money on drug purchases. AHS contracts a purchase price for drugs that’s consistent across the province. Each facility is responsible for ordering its own stock.

“Imagine the extra millions of dollars that will be reallocated from drug purchases and put into clinical areas,” says Dr. Kelly Zarnke, regional director of Therapeutics based at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.

Saving time is another benefit of the drug list.

“Doctors don’t have time to search through thousands and thousands of drugs to ensure they are using the best one for their patients,” says Hufty. “We’ve chosen the most effective, safe and cost-effective drugs out of all the drugs Health Canada has approved for the market.”

Cheryl Gelinas, Formulary Pharmacist for Alberta Health Services in Red Deer, says another benefit of the formulary for Albertans is the fact every drug on the list was reviewed to see if it was covered by insurance through Alberta Health and Wellness. If two medications were equal in effectiveness, the one that was covered by insurance was chosen to enhance continuity of care.

Other provinces are taking notice of the Alberta formulary and the work done here.

“B.C. is very interested and excited about what we’ve done,” says Hufty. “When you get a perspective like that from an outside group, it’s an opportunity to not only build a stronger system for Albertans but also to contribute and lead the way for other systems across Canada.”