ANALYSIS OF ADEQUACY OF INFORMATION PROVIDED ON VARIOUS DRUG INFORMATION SOURCES: AN OBSERVATIONAL, CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Roshi*, Sapna Gupta, Brij Mohan Gupta and Vishal R. Tandon

ABSTRACT

Prescribing medicine to patients does not complete the task but the medicine is to be taken rationally at proper time, proper dose, proper interval and the treatment is to be taken for the proper duration of time. For this many drug information sources are provided along with the medicines in the form of pamphlets, package inserts, leaflets etc. These sources prove to be beneficial both for the patient and the doctor. Aim and Objective: To assess the adequacy of information on drug information source. Material and Methods: Various drug information sources were collected and were assessed for adequacy. Results: A total of 150 drug information sources were assessed, out of which maximum were were package inserts. only 80.6% were legible, 46% were having pharmacokinetic information, 66.6% hadgeneric name of the drug, 80% had dose and dosage form displayed along with method of administration, side effects were shown by 65.3%, contraindications were shown by 33.3%, precautions were shown by 30.6%, price of the drug was given in 24.6%. Antidote in case of poisoning was given in only 13.3%, special situations like pregnancy and lactation was given in only 23.3%, name and address of the manufacturer was given in 31.3%. Reference of the information provided was given in only 50 drug information sources. Conclusion: All the drug information sources were incomplete in one or the other aspect and none was complete in itself. Laws should be made by Drug regulatory authorities to provide complete information for benefit of patient.

Keywords: Package Inserts; Drug Information, Patient Information Leaflets; Patient Information Pamphlets; Drug regulatory authorities; Adequacy of information.