Introduction:
The concept of drug information service developed as unbiased source of information for health professionals on various aspects of drugs as a result of increase in researching, identification and marketing (or dispensing) of new drugs, and changes in medical and pharmaceutical care.
Goals and objectives:
- Service:
- To provide effective communication of information arising from questions related to any patient problems by any health professional.
- Education:
- To provide facilities for staff training.
- Keep pharmacist abreast of drug information.
- Continuing education through lectures and informal discussion to health professionals.
- Has a role with a hospital pharmacy and therapeutic committees.
- Publication of newsletters and bulletins to provide current information.
- Scope of Drug Information Service:
- Provides health professionals with accurate, unbiased information on drugs.
- Specializes in recommending specific solutions to patient related drug problems.
- Hospital administration:
- Needs for drug information center.
- Facilities required for such center.
- Space and location:
- Space availability.
- Accessibility.
- The scope.
- Staff requirements:
- Degree.
- Number.
- It depends on: budget, service, and working hours/days.
- Work hours.
- Secretary.
- Messenger.
- Equipment and facilities:
- Computers.
- Printers.
- Stationary and duplicating equipment.
- Xerox machine.
- Microfiche reader-printer.
- Two telephones (minimum)
- Fax machine.
- Answering machine.
- Beeper.
- Desks and chairs.
- Book shelves.
- Filing cabinets.
- Internet.
- Literature sources required:
- General (tertiary) information sources.
- Secondary information sources.
- Primary information sources.
- Internet access.
- Other information sources.
- Investigator brochures.
- Manufacturer resources.
- Publicity of new center:
- Inside the hospital.
- Inside the city.
- Outside the country.
- Activities:
- Administrative activities.
- Passive dissemination of information (inquiry answering).
- Active dissemination of information (bulletins, newsletters, drug information notes, lectures, etc).
- Documentation:
- Documentation of activities on daily basis.
- Documentation of activities periodically throughout the year.