The Basics

The standard requires that the P&T committee meet no less frequently than quarterly.  It also requires the documentation in writing of the decision-making process around inclusion and exclusion of drugs from the formulary.  In addition, the committee should have a process that allows it to convene ad hoc meetings in the event emergent issues arise.

Management Tips

The intent of this standard must be met by one or both of the organization's policies and procedures and P&T committee charter.  In addition, it is imperative that the committee's minutes are meticulously kept and well-organized.

URAC Accreditation Tips

Each of the two elements of this standard has a weight of 2.

The applicable policies and procedures/committee charter are the only documentation required at the desktop preview stage.

The on-site review activity for the standard is limited to a review of committee minutes to assure that they are sufficiently detailed in describing the formulary decision-making process.