Diabetic Nephropathy Prevention and the Role of Managed Care Pharmacists

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the practical value of the managed care pharmacist in drug selection. The managed care pharmacist can provide valid scientific data to the physician that will turn aid in appropriate drug selection for each patient as an individual. DATA SOURCES: Scientific journals and texts. STUDY SELECTION: Not applicable. DATA EXTRACTION: Not applicable. DATA SYNTHESIS: Managed care activities are receiving increased publicity, most of which is negative in nature. Managed care pharmacists can generate a refreshingly positive demonstration of managed care. Their usefulness in drug selection can be effective whether care is concurrent, retrospective or prospective. Managed care pharmacists can use drug use data, disease state, and therapy knowledge to make a positive impact on how drugs are selected. Each patient is an individual with his or her own set of risks and experiences. Barriers are present to true participation in drug selection responsibilities but pharmacists can offer viable unbias...