Concerns of a pediatric hospital's P & T Committee: quality care emphasized over cost considerations.

One of the greatest challenges faced by the P & T Committee at Children's Hospital of Denver--a full-service, regional pediatric referral center--is the absence of pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic data for many drugs that are on the market for the treatment of adults but are unapproved for pediatric use. To acquire the needed information, Children's Hospital will rely on its P & T Committee to conduct numerous drug usage evaluations. In addition, the committee is undertaking a cooperative data-exchange venture with other children's hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Although cost issues must be addressed at Children's Hospital, issues such as quality of care--and even how various formulations taste--are top priorities at this hospital.