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Use of a pilot drug information centre
A W Tumwikirize1, J W Ogwal-Okeng, A Vernby
1Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. winnietumwiki@yahoo.com
African Health Sciences
|January 26, 2012
Summary
Healthcare professionals in Uganda actively used a pilot drug information centre (DIC). This study highlights the necessity and feasibility of establishing such centers for improved drug information access in the region.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Access to drug information is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy.
- Limited research exists on drug information provision in Africa.
- A pilot drug information centre (DIC) was established in Uganda.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utilization of a pilot drug information centre (DIC).
- To assess the feasibility and necessity of a DIC in Uganda.
Main Methods:
- A situational analysis with a prospective study design was employed.
- The DIC's usage was monitored over an eleven-month period.
- Queries were analyzed for source, reason, and type.
Main Results:
- The DIC received 297 queries over 11 months, with 72.3% from public hospitals.
- Prescribing doctors constituted the majority of users (54.2%).
- Common query topics included drug-drug interactions (41.2%) and therapy (23.2%), with a high demand for antiretroviral information (65.5% of specific drug requests).
Conclusions:
- Healthcare professionals demonstrated enthusiastic engagement with the drug information centre.
- Establishing a dedicated DIC in Uganda is both necessary and feasible.
- Such centers can significantly enhance drug information accessibility for healthcare professionals.
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