AMA's drug information data base: program capabilities and opportunities for clinical pharmacy

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• The AMA drug information base (AMA-DIB) is an online resource derived from AMA Drug Evaluations.
• It contains individual drug, pharmacologic class, and therapeutic class records, accessible via keyword searches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the AMA drug information base (AMA-DIB).
• To discuss the impact of computerized drug databases on clinical pharmacy practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of the AMA drug information base (AMA-DIB).
• Discussion of the implications of online drug databases for various clinical pharmacy services.

Main Results:

• Online drug databases provide easier access to information for patient monitoring services.
• Clinical pharmacy researchers are expected to experience little to no impact on their practice.
• Information resource services may either discontinue or expand based on quality and adaptability.

Conclusions:

• Computerized drug databases will significantly influence clinical pharmacy practice.
• The role of clinical pharmacists in direct patient care is expected to remain intact despite technological advancements.
• Adaptability and quality will determine the future success of information resource services in clinical pharmacy.