Study of cost effectiveness of drugs on patient care.

1. Study of preparing and dispensing drugs. 2. Place for preparing and dispensing drugs.

Panel of multispecialty physicians who advise the managed care plan on safe and effective prescription drugs and develop and maintain a drug formulary.

Company under contract with managed care organizations, self-insured companies, and government programs to manage pharmacy network management, drug utilization review, outcomes management, and disease management. The goal is to save money. For example, a pharmacy benefit manager may fill drug prescriptions by mail order as part of a corporate health insurance plan. Also called a pharmacy benefit management organization or prescription benefit manager (PBM).

Formal request for payment (bill) generated because of an insured’s purchase of prescription drugs dispensed by a pharmacist from a physician’s written instructions (prescription form).

Preferred provider organization (PPO) of community pharmacies that contracts either with employers or pharmacy benefit managers to give pharmacy services to members of the plan. Also known as pharmacy network.

Abbreviation for Doctor of Pharmacy.