Implementation of a pharmacist-managed clinic for patients receiving erythropoietin-stimulating agents.

Purpose: The initiation of a pharmacist-managed clinic to ensure appropriate use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) at a Veterans Affairs medical center is described.

Summary: A drug-use evaluation (DUE) in 2005 showed that ESA therapy met all of the institution's usage criteria in only 2 of 49 patients receiving ESAs. A protocol was developed and approved for pharmacist management of ESA therapy; physicians refer all patients beginning or currently receiving ESAs to a clinic established for pharmacist management of this therapy.