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.
