Drug Information resources

The Question is that what is Drug Information Resources? We hear about drugs on TV, movies, books and magazines, Internet and in regular discussion with friends and peers. But all of them may not be helpful. So this decision has to be taken judiciously.

With expanding and intensifying role of pharmacists in today’s world, drug information evaluation has become pivotal to the profession.  One of the essential competencies that every doctor must possesses is the shark ability to evaluate, retrieve, analyze or interpret the professional scientific knowledge to disseminate drug information and effective counselling to the patients or their family members.  All pharmacists have to be good drug information providers too.

As the result of advanced technologies and shrinking heath of humans, people are much more inclined towards their health and fitness. One can seek the guidance from professionals or pharmacists who are easily accessible to the general public.  Even if pharmacists might not have the solution to every question, they do know the tact or way to approach the perfect remedy for the issue.

The common questions been asked to the community of pharmacists are linked to dosage, medication, effects, infections, pharmacotherapy and disease treatments connected with dietary supplements. To gain the best recommendations, one has to assort to complete and comprehensive drug information resources. Appropriate resource is to be exploited effectively in each situation.

Majorly there are three categories of drug information resources Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.

Primary resources are regarded as the raw and first-hand information gained through individuals, teams or organizations. It is defined as meticulous and judicious use of evidences teamed with expertise.A primary drug information resource is the beneficial field employed in individual studies, such as design, analysis, statistical studies, demographics and many more. This information is the most reliable and up-to-date data. Time consuming and cost ineffectualness are the only drawbacks related to this form of resources.

Once published, this information takes the form of Secondary sources, which professionally catalogue such studies into proper and planned database. It serves as an entranceway to primary information. Most of such info is available in electronic form. It makes the searches from several journals, publications, meetings etc. For medical purposes MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA) and the Iowa Drug Information Service (IDIS). The only thing to keep in mind is to utilize the best and consistent source of secondary information which serves both the need and purpose.

The combination of aforesaid Primary and Secondary sources are known as Tertiary sources. It is likely to be factual in nature. Know as exceptional sources for understanding of a new topic, Tertiary resources encompass textbooks, articles, general data and information found on the Internet.

In nutshell, Drug information resources keep varying with the scope and practice of an organization.