The Consultant Pharmacist is published by the
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.

Features
Total Drug Therapy Cost Control: A Vision of the Consultant Pharmacy's Integral Role in Health Care
David K. Buerger
ASCP Executive Director R. Tim Webster provides a game plan to help consultant pharmacists ensure their future viability in the rapidly changing world of health care.

The Changing Marketplace: Shifting Definitions of Long-Term Care
Kathy Riley
Cost-containment pressures, the uncertain future of Medicaid, and competition within the industry for patients are reshaping the concept of the long-term care marketplace. Consultant pharmacists find a wealth of options-and challenges-as new market niches continue to emerge.

Formularies and Quality of Care: Pharmacoeconomics Drives Revisionist Thinking
L. Michael Posey
The application of cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, cost-utility, and cost-minimization analyses to drug formularies is resulting in profound changes in this traditional cost-containment tool.


C O N T E N T S
May 1996/Volume 11, Number 5

About the artist: Ann Page draws much of her inspiration from beaches and harbors in Maine, where her family has a summer cottage; this month's cover painting, "Lobster Shack," reflects her continuing interest in seascapes. Painting has been a lifelong interest: She formerly concentrated on commissioned oil paintings, but now works primarily in watercolor. Ms. Page is a resident of The Fairfax, a retirement community in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.

Research & Reports

Evaluation of Chronic Nitrate Therapy in Nursing Facilities
H. Edward Davidson, Edgar R. Gonzalez, Robert J. Chaponis, Marilyn A. Mendelson, Thomas M. Chamberlain
This report examines the extent of prescriber compliance with laveling recommendations for nitrate dose-free intervals and nursing compliance with prociding a seven-hour, between-dose schedule for immediate-release isosorbide-5-mononitrate (ISMN).

Analysis of Total Pharmacy Services Offered to Patients Admitted to Long-Term Care Facilities
Lisa M. DeBoer, Carline A. Gaither
This study examines consulting and dispensing pharmacist interventions in terms of cost-savings, decreased mediaction usage, and improved patient care.

D E P A R T M E N T S
Bylines
Brian Kahan

Forum
Consultant-Only Pharmacists and Quality of Care

Health Trends

Consultants Forum
Assessing Weight Changes in Nursing Home Residents
Diane Crutchfield

ASCP Reports

Subacute Care Forum
Clinical Myths: Corticosteroid Tapering
L. Michael Posey

 Hospital Forum
Getting Started in Long-Term Care Pharmacy
L. Michael Posey

Assisted Living Forum
Obstacles to Medication Monitoring in Assisted Living Facilities
Diane Crutchfield

Federal Perspectives

Close to Home

Helpful Ideas
Inside Tips for Lobbying Success
David K. Buerger

Late Additions
Pharmaceutical Care Must Be Integrated Into ICF/MR Care, ASCP Tells HCFA