Commandant
(G-KOM-2)
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
(202) 267-0801
COMDTINST 6570.3
16 OCT 1990
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 6570.3
Subj: Pharmacy Officer Collateral Duty Responsibilities
1.
PURPOSE. This instruction prescribes pharmacy officer collateral duty oversight for clinics
and sick bays that do not have a pharmacy officer billet.
2.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. The contents of this instruction will be incorporated into a future
change to COMDTINST M6000.1 (series), Medical Manual.
3.
DISCUSSION.
a.
Current private sector and Department of Defense standards of health care place the
operation of pharmaceutical services under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. This
oversight is especially important to ensure that the quality, cost effectiveness, and
consistency of care is maintained since many Coast Guard clinics operate pharmacies that
dispense large numbers of prescriptions written by nonfederal providers.
b.
Pharmaceutical expenditures in Coast Guard clinics account for up to 70 percent of their
operating budget. Efforts must be made to coordinate the rotation of pharmaceuticals
between facilities. Limited use, small quantity items must be supplied from a central
supply source--thus achieving economies of scale not currently realized.
c.
Sound management of scarce resources demands that Coast Guard pharmacy officers
assume collateral duty oversight which will make maximum use of their professional
skills. This will bring their expertise to clinics and sick bays that do not have a pharmacy
officer billet.