POOR UTILIZATION ADN LIMITED IMPACT OF FORMULARIES ON QUALITY OF PRESCRIBING BY HOSPITAL DOCTORS

We determined the utilisation and perceived value of formularies among st 104 Non Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs), Only 58% routinely car ry a formulary, largely the British National Formulary (BNF) which is considered by 93% to be the best. The overall quality of prescribing i n surgical wards was poorer compared to medical wards, However, after distribution of ''free BNF's'' significant improvements (p<0.05) occur red, but only in surgical wards and only in aspects of prescribing spe cifically highlighted (generic prescribing and limiting the duration o f intravenous medications), These improvements lasted four weeks befor e returning to previous levels, Our results suggest that despite recog nising their value a significant proportion of Irish hospital doctors do not routinely carry a formulary. The beneficial effects of distribu ting free formularies was shortlived.