PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES FOR A HOMELESS POPULATION

Participation of pharmacist volunteers in the medication program of a countywide health care program for homeless persons is described. Phar macist volunteers were brought in to manage medications for a health c are program serving homeless persons in Ramsey County, Minnesota. Afte r the pharmacy program was structured, volunteers were recruited from the community. Pharmacist duties initially focused on product manageme nt but were expanded to include establishing and monitoring the progra m formulary; reviewing patient records and prescriptions for allergies , potential drug interactions, and appropriate dosage; counseling pati ents on medication use; and consulting with other members of the healt h care team. The pharmacists' efforts led to improvements in monitorin g and stocking of necessary medications. The cost of the pharmacy prog ram decreased from $1800 a month to as little as $300 a month. The val ue of donated supplies and medications increased from $8,600 in 1991 t o over $122,000 in 1994. Pharmacist volunteers helped to improve the c ost-effectiveness and quality of medication use in a homeless populati on.