CONSIDERATIONS IN PHARMACEUTICAL CONVERSION - FOCUS ON ANTIHISTAMINES

The practice of pharmaceutical conversion, which encompasses three typ es of drug interchange (generic, brand, and therapeutic substitution), is increasing in managed care settings, Pharmaceutical conversion has numerous implications for managed care organizations, their healthcar e providers, and their customers. Although drug cost may be a driving consideration in pharmaceutical conversion, a number of other consider ations are of equal or greater importance in the decision-making proce ss and may affect the overall cost of patient care. Among these consid erations are clinical, psychosocial, and safety issues; patient adhere nce; patient satisfaction; and legal implications of pharmaceutical co nversion. Patient-centered care must always remain central to decision s about pharmaceutical conversion. This article discusses the issues r elated to, and implications of, pharmaceutical conversion utilizing th e antihistamine class of drugs as the case situation.