Drug Information Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is drug information, and how does it relate to medication information?
Drug information refers to the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of data about drugs. It is often used interchangeably with “medication information,” but the latter emphasizes patient-specific application and clinical use.
When and where was the first drug information center established?
In 1962 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
What services do drug information centers provide?
- Answering drug-related questions
- Formulary management
- Adverse drug reaction reporting
- Poison information
- Education and publications
- Investigational drug services
What skills are essential for pharmacists to provide effective drug information?
- Strong communication (oral/written)
- Critical literature evaluation
- Systematic search strategies
- Application of evidence to patient care
Name three medication information functions performed by pharmacists.
- Providing DI to patients and healthcare professionals.
- Educating on safe medication practices.
- Participating in formulary management and policy development.
What are the three types of medical literature, and how do they differ?
- Tertiary: Summarized, general info (e.g., textbooks, review articles).
- Secondary: Indexes/abstracts directing to primary sources (e.g., PubMed, EMBASE).
- Primary: Original research (e.g., clinical trials, case reports).
What is a major drawback of tertiary literature?
Lag time in publication, leading to potentially outdated information.
List the steps in the modified systematic approach (1987) for answering DI requests.
- Secure requestor demographics.
- Obtain background info.
- Determine the ultimate question.
- Develop/search strategy.
- Evaluate/synthesize data.
- Formulate response.
- Follow-up and document.
What criteria should be used to assess the quality of online medical information?
- Credibility of the source (no vested interest).
- Accuracy and currency.
- Referenced content.
- Links to reputable sites.
- Author transparency.
What are three roles of a medication information specialist?
- Managing drug shortages and alternative therapies.
- Developing clinical decision support tools (e.g., dosing protocols).
- Coordinating investigational drug services.
What is “drug informatics”?
The use of technology to organize, analyze, and manage medication-use data, emphasizing evolving roles of DI specialists.
How can a drug information service ensure quality?
- Regular peer reviews of responses.
- Updating resources and search strategies.
- Soliciting feedback via questionnaires.
- Random audits of enquiry records.
What are examples of primary literature?
Clinical trials
Cohort studies
Case reports
And unpublished research.
What Boolean operators are used in database searches, and how do they work?
- AND: Combines terms (e.g., “clonidine AND ADHD”).
- OR: Expands results (e.g., “clonidine OR guanfacine”).
- NOT: Excludes terms (use cautiously to avoid missing relevant data).
What personnel are required in a drug information center?
- Clinical pharmacist (head).
- Additional pharmacists.
- Administrative staff.
- IT support and advisors in specialized areas.
Why is follow-up critical in drug information services?
It provides insights into patient outcomes, refines future responses, and enhances clinical learning.
How should drug information centers maintain neutrality?
Operate independently (like quality control labs) with governmental or non-commercial funding.
Name two tertiary resources for drug identification.
- Drug Facts and Comparisons.
- Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia.
What infrastructure and logistical elements are required for a drug information center?
- Transport: Vehicles for data collection in rural areas and educational trips.
- Twinning arrangements: Partnerships with international centers for staff exchange and training.
- Office setup: Location within hospitals/universities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
How should urgency and requestor expertise influence DI responses?
Prioritize concise answers for urgent clinical queries and tailor depth to the requestor’s expertise (e.g., concise for experienced clinicians vs. detailed guidance for juniors).
What types of data do drug information centers collect?
- External data: From journals, textbooks, and other centers.
- Internal data: Case follow-ups, poisoning observations, and local toxin/chemical product information.
Name three factors affecting pharmacists’ ability to provide medication information.
- Legal/regulatory requirements.
- Institutional policies (e.g., formulary restrictions).
- Access to updated resources (e.g., journals, databases).
How do indexing terms differ between MEDLINE and IDIS?
MEDLINE uses MeSH terms, while IDIS uses USAN (United States Adopted Names) and ICD (International Classification of Diseases).
What is the Health on the Net (HON) code?
A certification standard for health websites ensuring reliability, transparency, and credibility (e.g., author qualifications, citation of sources).
