Dear E-druggers,
With the cost of CDROMs, CDROM recorders and computers coming down, would it
be feasible to publish a library of books on CDROM? The cost of shipping and
per unit cost would be considerably less. I have been contemplating creating
a health library on CDROM using public domain materials. I would appreciate
input on the desirability and feasibility of such a product. FYI, the
Physicians Desk Reference is now available on CDROM for free to US physicians
with a DEA number and the willingness to fill out a survey. There are
several other consumer-oriented CDROM titles with fairly extensive drug
databases.
Lew Dick, MD
Saint Anthony Hospital
Oklahoma City OK
----note from the E-drug moderator:
There are many drug related CD-ROMs available. Unfortunately they are
all rather expensive (Martindale, DrugDex etc). "Cheaper" ones include
the British National Formulary.
WHO/DMP has had a similar plan to publish a CD-ROM with all relevant
WHO publications on essential drugs. Unfortunately the project never
became a reality due to high costs involved and problems with copyrights
in WHO.
However, due to the much reduced prices of making CD-ROMS, the cost
might no longer be a problem. Anybody volunteering to set up a
clearinghouse for essential drug information on a CD-ROM?
One would need some 650 MByte free harddisk space and a CD-ROM writer
(USD 1700 or less?). If the 350 E-drug subscribers would buy one each,
the CD-ROMs could be made available at USD 10-15. Or is this a dream?
Wilbert Bannenberg
E-drug moderator
--
Send mail for the `E-Drug' conference to `e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.
Mail administrative requests to `majordomo@usa.healthnet.org'.
For additional assistance, send mail to: `owner-e-drug@usa.healthnet.org'.