Quality of pharmacotherapy consultations provided by drug information centers in the United States

Citation
Ka. Calis et al., Quality of pharmacotherapy consultations provided by drug information centers in the United States, PHARMACOTHE, 20(7), 2000, pp. 830-836
Citations number
9
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology
Journal title
PHARMACOTHERAPY
ISSN journal
02770008 → ACNP
Volume
20
Issue
7
Year of publication
2000
Pages
830 - 836
Database
ISI
SICI code
0277-0008(200007)20:7<830:QOPCPB>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
We evaluated the performance of 116 U.S. drug information centers in respon ding to specific questions about drugs. The primary measures were correctne ss of responses and extent of probing for patient data. Questions addressed the effect of ranitidine on blood alcohol concentrations, the potential in teraction between didanosine and dapsone, prevention of nonsteroidal antiin flammatory drug (NSAID)-induced peptic ulcers, and use of erythromycin for diabetic gastroparesis. The percentages of centers providing correct overal l responses were 70% for the ranitidine question, 90% for the didanosine-da psone question, 8% for the NSAID question, and 20% for the erythromycin que stion. For the three patient-specific questions, the percentages of centers eliciting vital patient data were 27% for the didanosine-dapsone question, 86% for the NSAID question, and 5% for the erythromycin question. In provi ding pharmacotherapy consultations, drug information centers generally fail ed to obtain pertinent patient data, thereby risking incorrect responses an d inappropriate recommendations.