Evaluation of a pharmacist-managed telephone lipid clinic at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Background: Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the US, with dyslipidemia being a significant risk factor. Pharmacist-managed lipid clinics have been shown to be effective in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values in the veteran population. In addition, telephone-managed clinics are known to be an effective method to manage anticoagulation therapy.

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.