How does UPMC for Life manage drug utilization?
One of UPMC for Life’s primary goals in designing drug formularies and utilization programs is to promote safe and effective use of medications for our members. Using the data that we have compiled over the years, we have built safeguards into our pharmacy system designed to minimize the chances of harmful drug interactions in our members. UPMC for Life has identified major drug interactions and sends an electronic warning to a retail pharmacist if the pharmacist tries to fill a prescription for a drug that interacts adversely with another medication the member is currently taking. This service has been available to our members for some time, and it is constantly reviewed as new drugs come to market, or as new, potentially harmful drug combinations are discovered. Drug utilization is also reviewed after prescriptions for medications have been filled. Our internal clinical pharmacy team reviews, reports, and identifies members who are potentially at risk for adverse drug events. The tea
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