Drug Information Services

Introduction

The term "drug information" was developed in the early 1960s and used in conjunction with the word "center" and "specialist".

• Over time, the specific functions of drug information evolved.

Answering Queries

The bread-and-butter of drug information services (DIS) is answering enquiries from both hospital-based healthcare professionals and the general public.

• Listen to the enquirer carefully and get their name and number.
• When answering drug information questions, it is important to obtain the background information including pertinent patient factors, disease factors and medication-related factors to determine the true question.
• Knowing the most appropriate reference to utilise in dfferent cases is equally important.

However, it is impossible to predict all the questions healthcare professionals will ask.

• You will inevitably encounter inquiries for which you are unprepared.
• Remember to always act within your area of competence and refer all other inquiries appropriately, including to senior staff members.

As you begin to answer more complex inquiries, you may encounter instances where resources provide conflicting answers.

• For example, the use of a particular drug in pregnancy often requires a risk-benefit assessment by the prescribing physician.

Important Functions

Today, drug information services include

• Supporting clinical services with drug information
• Answering questions regarding medications from patients and health care professionals
• Coordinating pharmacy and therapeutics committee activity
• Developing and educating health care professionals on medication-use policies
• Critically evaluating the literature to make formulary and patient-specific decisions (e.g. drug monograph, class review)
• Providing poison information
• Publishing or editing information on appropriate medication use through newsletters, journal columns, websites, e-mail, social media, etc.
• Providing education (e.g. in-services, classes, experiential education, journal club) for health care professionals, students, and patients.
• Participating in health outcome initiatives
• Coordinating formulary management initiatives
• Developing criteria/guidelines for medication use
• Analysing the clinical and economic impact of drug policy decisions
• Managing medication-use evaluation and other quality assurance/improvement activities
• Managing drug shortages
• Managing investigational medication use (e.g., institutional review board activities, information for practitioners)
• Coordinating of adverse drug event reporting and monitoring programs (e.g. adverse medication reactions and medication errors)
• Consulting on pharmacy informatics projects in the health care system setting
• Ensuring and implementing changes to medication-use policies and formulary decisions via informatics system

NOTE: For detailed information regarding these activities, you may read up Drug Information A Guide for Pharmacists.

Summary

Apart from answering queries from health care professionals, DIS department plays important roles in drug policy decisions and medication safety.