Consensus method to update the GINF formulary request form.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To update the Guideline for the Introduction of New Drugs in the Formulary (GINF form) using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method, which combines the best available evidence and an expert panel's judgement. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: Two procedures were employed to detect where improvements could be made to the former versions of the request form and to transform them into concrete scenarios, found from a telephone survey with GINF form users, and a structured review of the scientific literature. The list of scenarios was later assessed by an expert panel. In a series of successive rounds, the rest of the research team critically assessed the expert panel's result, applying a score. RESULTS: A total of 52 improvement proposals were registered; 31 of them dealt with the form structure and the remaining 21 referred to the form process. Six formulary request forms were selected from the literature review. The final version included 24 assessed scenarios mainly addressing clinical trials' validity, qualitative assessment and local implications of the requested drug. CONCLUSIONS: A new version of the GINF form has been developed. Much improvement has been made based on the guide users' opinion, available evidence and similar experiences that have been carried out internationally. The whole process has been subject to the experts' opinion following a contrasted, consensus methodology: RAND/UCLA appropriateness method.