Ensuring Best Use of Medications for Renal PatientsThe Pharmacy and Formulary Review Committee, a standing committee of the Renal Agency, is responsible for improving the appropriate and safe use of medications for renal patients in BC. This includes deciding which medications are on the Agency’s formulary, developing best practice guidelines, and designing a reliable distribution system to make sure renal patients across the province receive their medications. Renal patients rely heavily on medications for their treatment: the average dialysis patient in BC is on 12 different ones. When combined with medications received during dialysis, a patient’s total can easily reach 20. Examples of medications recently added to the formulary by the committee include lanthanum carbonate and cinacalcet. Both of these medications are restricted – a last resort for patients who cannot tolerate or weren’t benefiting from other medications – based on cost and available evidence to support their use. The committee has also helped develop guidelines for alteplase and IDPN (a protocol for managing anemia), and will soon examine guidelines for pain management. Also on the committee’s agenda is the implementation of a medication reconciliation process (see below for more information on "med rec"). Log onto the Pharmacy & Formulary section of the Renal Agency’s website where you can find: |
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