Use of therapeutic drug monitoring in pharmacoeconomics.

The use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for drugs with a narrow therapeutic range has contributed substantially to the literature. The pharmacoeconomics of this service for hospitalized patients has demonstrated significant hospital savings. Appropriate use of this pharmacy-based service has demonstrated savings, reduction in total length of hospitalization, and cost avoidance with aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity. Use of a Clinical Pharmacokinetic Service (CPS) for inpatient theophylline therapy and outpatient anticonvulsant therapy documents the pharmacoeconomic benefits provided by this service to both in- and outpatients. This report will discuss current literature with regard to pharmacoeconomics and cost-benefit analysis of TDM.