Drug use evaluation services in Australia and New Zealand: A neglected area of research?

Aim: To describe the drug use evaluation (DUE) models used in hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Method: 18 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand were identified as having DUE pharmacist positions and 15 were willing to participate in the survey. DUE pharmacists were surveyed about the DUE process, structure, service implementation and their job descriptions. Results: 47% (7/15) of DUE pharmacists reported to the Director of Pharmacy, 33% (5/15) to the Drug and Therapeutics Committee and 20% (3/15) to the Director of Clinical Pharmacology. 73% (11/15) of DUE pharmacists were located in the hospital's pharmacy department. On average, a 0.8 full-time equivalent (range 0.2 to 2.5) pharmacist was dedicated to DUE activities per hospital with an average of 0.2 full-time equivalent (range 0 to 0.8) assigned to clinical activities. 79% (12/15) of hospitals only funded DUE pharmacist positions; 7% (1/15) funded combined pharmacist and pharmacy technician positions; 7% (1/15) funded combined pharmacist and rotating pharmacy intern positions; and 7% (1/15) funded clinical pharmacologist, nurse and pharmacist positions. 20% (3/15) of hospitals had a DUE subcommittee to coordinate DUE activities. All of the hospitals reported their DUE results to the Drug and Therapeutics Committees. Conclusion: A variety of DUE models exist in hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Successful DUE services had a multidisciplinary approach with support and collaboration from medical, pharmacy, nursing and administrative staff