In response: A benchmarking scoping review of research output from hospital pharmacy departments in Australia

We read with interest the article by Penm et al.1 describing a benchmarking scoping review of research output from principal referral hospital pharmacy departments in Australia. We support the notion that benchmarking research output may assist pharmacy departments to improve their research performance, which has the potential to benefit patients, staff, and the broader health system.1, 2 For this to be effective, it is important that benchmarking data be as accurate as possible and presented in a way that enables pharmacy departments to compare themselves with departments in similarly sized health services. Here we propose some ideas that may improve these aspects for future benchmarking studies.