Pharmaceutical Resonance 2021 Vol. 3 - Issue 2 REVIEW ARTICLE DRUG INFORMATION CENTER: AN OVERVIEW Vishal V. Laulkar, Mansi Mistry*, Karishma M. Rathi Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune, 411018, Maharashtra, India Abstract : Drug Information Centers (DICs) are defined as operational units that provide up-to-date, scientific, evidence backed and critically evaluated information on all aspects of drugs in an objective and timely manner. The different types of DIC’s are Academics, Institutional, Hospital and Industry related DICs. The purpose of establishing a drug information center is to promote rational use of drugs by providing authentic, individualized, critically reviewed, accurate and unbiased drug related information to the inquirer. The DICs help evaluate major drug related problem areas that gets frequent inquiries. The requirements for the DICs and general process to be followed to answer questions, specifically varies for each type. Standard operating procedures and detailed process protocols may help the DICs to produce better health related outcomes. DICs may perform various activities according to their type that are ultimately linked to promote safe, rational and evidence backed use of drugs as well as to promote research and publication work culture. The questions to the DICs are mainly asked by different health-care professionals regarding general properties of active substances, contents of particular preparations, dosage, side effects and indications/contraindications. To answer such scientifically complicated queries, pharmacist plays an important role. Drug information specialist pharmacist may help preparing scientific communications and contribute in education and training of health care professionals on safe and effective medication-use policies and processes. It is needed that hospitals or hospital linked academic institutes and industries with the help of local and global government authorities, should promote establishment of DICs for better health related outcomes. Keywords : Drug Information Center (DIC), Drug information services (DIS), Drug information resources, DIC establishment: Challenges and strategies, Role of pharmacist in DIC . 1. Introduction : appropriate party without request.[1] Establishment of The drug information is up to date, scientific evidence DICs are needed to promote safe and rational use of backed, written, electronic or verbal piece of drugs. information or advice about any aspect of drug use DICs are vital part of healthcare services as they which is provided as responses to queries generated by provide valuable piece of information or advise on the drug information requester. The requester can be safety and risk management of drugs to the healthcare any healthcare professional, relevant organizations, professionals in hospitals. It establishes a culture of patients, consumers or members of public. [1] quality-use and safe-use of medicines in the affiliated The Drug Information Center (DIC) functions to hospitals. Further, DICs play important role in providing key information for therapeutic drug provide authentic, unbiased, critically evaluated and [3] validated drug information to the requester as well as it monitoring for individualization of drug therapy. monitors and document adverse drug reactions within DICs may reduce medication errors, prescription the hospital or performs other duties assigned to it.[2] errors, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and DICs can also provide proactive information to the drug poisoning by proactively disseminating important drug information in public domain.[3] Dr. Mansi Mistry The DIC staff through specialized training, lectures Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of and publications such as e-bulletins, posters and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, newslettersor by other activities related to drug safety Pimpri, Pune, 411018, Maharashtra, India such as drug use and drug use evaluation, quality eMail :[email protected] assurance, hospital formulary management can © Published by DYPIPSR, Pimpri, Pune - 411 018 ( MH ) INDIA 46 Pharmaceutical Resonance 2021 Vol. 3 - Issue 2 Table 1: Types of DICs DICs can be of different types based on their location: Sr. No. DIC Types Location 1 Academic DICs Academic colleges or universities Societies, Associations, Independent Government Organizations, Chari- II Institutional DICs table trusts and Non-Government Non-profit organizations III Hospital Affiliated DICs Hospital or Community Center IV Industry affiliated DICs Private/commercial companies, Commercial Service providers contribute significantly to improve overall hospital and Primary sources may include original research patient outcomes and to promote research work.[3] . work, original case study reports and clinical 2. History: trials database reports, conference proceedings published in peer reviewed and authenticated The World War II gave rise to chemical and drug journals. abuse throughout the globe. In 1940s, few hospitals from European urban areas such as Budapest, Primary sources provide up to date, critically Copenhagen, and the Netherlands started specialized evaluated original information. wards with bedside information as well as telephony b. Secondary : services for chemical and drug abuse cases. This Secondary sources are based on primary formed the base for drug and poison information sources. center.[4] Secondary sources may include review articles, In the United States of America (USA), the first drug hand books, text books, indexing and and poison information center known as Poison abstracting databases from authenticated and Control Center (PCC) was started in 1953 at Chicago. critically evaluated publisher [4] In 1957, the Bureau of Product Safety in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)established the c. Tertiary : National Clearinghouse for Poison Control Centers Tertiary sources may include information and State health departments were assigned with the based on primary and secondary database responsibility of PCCs within their states.[4] In 1958,The American Association for Poison Control Reference books, drug monographs, pharmaco- Centers (AAPCC) was established to standardize the poeia, national formularies, encyclopedia, dicti PCCs in USA.[4] -onaries, national guidelines, drug information software, drug interaction checker software, The first formal DIC in the USA is reported to be such Asif acts, Micromedex, Lexi-Interact, established at University of Kentucky in August 1962. Pharmavista, and Epocrates etc. Micromedex [5] The name of the first DIC is reported to be Iowa drug databases such as DRUGDEX and DRUG Drug and Poison Information Centre, Buffalo’s School -REAX interaction system. of Pharmacy Drug Information Centre.[6] d. Other Sources : The first DIC in India is reported to be established in 1970s at Christian Medical College, Vellore.[7]In the Other sources may include hospital year 2007, The India Country Office of World Health formularies, regulatory notifications, local drug Organization (WHO) has collaborated with the list, websites and webpages. There are different Karnataka State Pharmacy Council(KSPC) for mobile phone-based applications such as the supporting the establishment of 5 drug information Drug Essentials application, Epocrates, centers; in Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Haryana Medscape, rxlist, drugs.com, CIMS and Indian (Sirsa),Rajasthan (Jaipur), Goa (Panaji) and Assam drug index application are also low-cost or free (Dibrugarh).[8] The first Independent DIC in India is sources of information. Lexicomp Online, and reported to be started by The KSPC in August 1997.[9]. FDA information. MedIndia.net is one of the Indian websites for finding Drug interaction 3. Basic requirements for DIC and drug related queries. 3.1 Information Sources: 3.2 Personnel: a. Primary : © Published by DYPIPSR, Pimpri, Pune - 411 018 ( MH ) INDIA 47 Pharmaceutical Resonance 2021 Vol. 3 - Issue 2 The drug information center may have different personnel requirements based on the day-to- 4.1 Requesters query: day tasks to be performed. It may include chief director, vice directors, residents, students/ interns, technical staff, administrative staff, human resource department and advisory board or monitoring board for quality assurance. 3.3 Place: based on the type and objectives, different kinds of DICs may have different locations. It is needed toensure that the place is well reachable for the variety of requesters and response can be given in timely manner. 3.4 Contact: Modern day DICs need to have reachable contact information such as toll-free phone Fig 2: Steps to document requesters query numbers, E-request form, official website and email address 4.2 DIC Documentation : 3.5 Hardware: This is highly specific requirement depending on DIC to DIC. Modern day DICs require high speed computers, printers, suitable furniture, phone (line-mobile), high speed Internet, access to drug information software and premium journals, fax machine and security surveillance 3.6 Regulatory requirements: depending on country specific guidelines, the DIC need to ensure fulfillment of regulatory requirements. Registration with local Fig 3: Steps for DIC documentation regulatory authority, local and international certifications, memorandum of understanding 4.3 Literature Search : with leading institutes or hospital may additionally benefit the DIC in various aspects. 3.7 Policy and Standard Operating Procedures: General framework and detailed outline of DIC Fig 4: Literature