The needs and sources of drug information among pharmacists in Hong Kong

The objective of this study was to determine the drug information needs of pharmacists in Hong Kong, the sources of drug information available and the constraints limiting their ability to fulfil drug information needs at practice sites. A questionnaire survey was carried out in January 1995 of community (230 retail pharmacies, 10 outpatient clinics) and 44 hospital pharmacists working in Hong Kong. The information sought included: place of practice, availability of reference texts, journals or periodicals at practice sites, types of clinical pharmacy services provided, frequency and types of drug information questions received, sources of drug information used, needs for a drug information service, and constraints limiting their ability to fulfil drug information needs at practice sites. Ninety-four pharmacists (hospital 68.2%, community 26.6%) responded. Hospital pharmacists generally had more reference texts and journals/periodicals at practice sites than community pharmacists. The majority of pharmacists in this survey were involved in a variety of clinical pharmacy services, including the delivery of drug information to other health-care professionals and the general public. Community pharmacists were most often asked questions about over-the-counter drugs, drug dosage and drug identification. Hospital pharmacists were most often asked questions about drug identification and availability of drugs. The most important drug information sources for both the community and hospital pharmacists were their own knowledge and work-place reference texts. Few pharmacists frequently used the service provided by the national Drug and Poisons Information Bureau (DPIB). The scarcity of drug information sources was perceived as an important constraint by both community and hospital pharmacists when fulfilling drug information needs at practice sites. Lack of time was considered an equally important constraint by the hospital pharmacists. A national drug information service was generally felt to be necessary. In conclusion, inadequacy in drug information sources was perceived to be a very important constraint limiting the pharmacists surveyed in fulfilling drug information needs at their individual practice sites. However, many were unaware that the drug information requested was already available. Regular attempts to publicize this territory-wide DPIB are obviously needed.