E-drug: Advertising in national formularies (cont)
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The TIMS (MIMS of Thailand) is full of advertisements. Sometimes drug
prices are mentioned.
In the main text some companies have their logo inserted in front of
every drug item (probably with extra payment) so their product will
catch the eye easier than other products.
On a personal note, I have always found the US PDR very unhandy and
difficult to use (also very difficult to find drugs).
My personal favorite is the Swedish FASS that is provided every year
for free to all hospitals, doctors and medical students by the
government. Excellent text, easy to use and - very importantly - with
prices.
Not to provide prices is maybe one of the major draw backs with
company funded formularies. In clinical practice I always like to
look at the prices too: even in industrialised countries price
assessment should today be part of the decision making in any
prescription.
Tido von Schoen-Angerer, MD
Medecins sans frontieres, Thailand
msfdrugs@asianet.co.th
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