Economic benefit
Drug prices remain high due to difficulties in drug research and development and huge investment, which leads to a more and more profound contradiction between the public’s willingness to reduce drug prices [40]. In the face of expensive drugs, especially prescription drugs [41], it is difficult to fundamentally reduce drug pricing. Although pharmacists cannot change the drug price, but based on the understanding and comparison of drugs, they can provide patients with a more cost-effective drug regimen and reduce the economic burden of patients, which will directly improve the economic practicability of the treatment scheme. In the current hospital services, especially the treatment with high cost, the intervention of pharmacists can have a beneficial impact on the economic effect. Studies related to nursing in intensive care unit have shown that the addition of pharmacists can optimize the treatment plan and reduce the unnecessary use of drugs, therefore, making it effective in reducing the cost of medication: Pharmacists can reduce the improper use of albumin in the intensive care unit, decrease the amount and cost of albumin, and save about $355000 a year in ICU [42]; And a study, evaluating the intervention of pharmacists in adult intensive care units, also showed that pharmacists participating in a multidisciplinary ICU team, could provide meaningful intervention advice to the medical team and reduce drug costs, saving the team about $263000 in one year [43]. Surgery or chronic diseases also cost a lot of medical expenses, and studies have shown that pharmacists can also use professional knowledge and skills to reduce the financial burden of patients: Allowing pharmacists to care for (TJA) patients undergoing total joint replacement optimizes drug treatment throughout the nursing process, which can save the institution a net cost of about $73000 per year [44]; A systematic review of the effects of pharmacists on nursing care for the prognosis of diabetes shows that such interventions can save about $80,000 per person per year compared with routine care. Thus, the study strongly recommends that experienced pharmacists should be involved in the work of multidisciplinary diabetes care teams on a long-term basis [45].