Current status of pharmacist-operated drug information centers in the United States

Emeka

Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science

2013

Providing drug information has become one of the essential job functions of a community pharmacist. To ensure the availability of up-to-date information, pharmacists should have access to reliable drug information. The current study was an effort to explore the use of drug information resources at a community pharmacy in Penang Island, Malaysia. This study also explores nonprescription requests, with a special emphasis on pharmacists' agreement to dispense medicines without a prescription. A cross-sectional study was performed among the community pharmacists practicing in 3 populous areas of Penang Island. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a 24-item questionnaire. The response rate was 67.3%. Online drug information, compared with other resources, was preferred by a majority of pharmacists (n ¼ 19, 51.4%). Of the pharmacists, 28 (75.7%) mentioned that patients often make a nonprescription drug request for anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers, and medicines for cough and flu. In about 59.5% of the cases, pharmacists dispensed the requested medicine without question. Most of the pharmacists stated they have dispensed painkillers, creams and ointments, antifungals, body tonics, and inhalers without prescription.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drug Information Activity and Nonprescription Requests Over the Malaysian Counter

Emeka

Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science

2013

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy

“…These resources were selected because of their reputability among medical librarians, students, faculty, drug information centers, and patient safety organizations, as well as their inclusion of boxed warning information in a dedicated section of their drug monographs. [10][11][12] Drug selection. We compiled a list of currently marketed prescription drugs with boxed warnings through June 2010 using a previously described methodology.…”

Section: Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Boxed warning inconsistencies between drug information resources and the prescribing information

Cheng

Fu²,

Guglielmo³

et al. 2011

“…By 1974, there were 56 centers, which increased to 108 by 1992. 4 Several issues are responsible for this expansion in services. Initially, the acceptance of the clinical pharmacist's role in patient care fueled the need for quick access to current information.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most recent survey of drug information centers described their increasing participation in the education and training of students and residents. 4 Many drug information centers have developed a primary concentration on either academics or institutional activities. This focus can sometimes determine the major activities of the center.…”

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confidence: 99%

A Personal View of the History and Future Direction of Drug Information

Thompson

2006

Ann Pharmacother

P roviding drug information has always been a key component of a pharmacist's responsibility. However, the establishment of the first drug information center in 1962 at the University of Kentucky was a pivotal point in the rise of the clinical pharmacy movement. Early articles by Charles A Walton 1,2 and Donald E Francke 3 provided a framework for understanding the training and role of the drug information specialist. Regarding the problems and challenges of communicating drug information, Walton observed that: