E-DRUG: Essential medicine policies to promote rational/quality use of medicines (7)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many thanks for the excellent contributions about the importance of good
information on the safe and effective use of medicines for prescribers.
It is interesting to see the recent systematic review that gives indicators
that safe and effective use of medicines is assisted by good well edited
information at the point of care. Let's help WHO take steps to champion an
authoritative open access database of medicines information, freely
available for use to support local, relevant, accurate, independent,
authoritative and widely used medicines information resources.
The creation and maintenance of good quality resources for prescribers is
essential to support safer healthcare and improved patient outcomes.
However it is not sufficient on its own. Of course a new open access
database of medicines information, published under a creative commons
licence to encourage local reuse, is the starting point we need: WHO Model
Formulary Mark II.
But also pharmacy and medical professionals need training in the skilled
use of information resources. Ubiquitous use of such resources needs to be
established through education, promotion and systemic measures: for
example, by making evidence of following authoritative information sources
a defence against medical malpractice in court.
Expert teams need to be trained and supported to interpret and republish
international standard information sources adapted for use in their local
contexts. The role of information pharmacists, clinicians and medical
publishers is not universally recognised, and should be part of any effort
to improve prescribing and clinical care.
Duncan Enright
Managing Director
EBN Health - bringing evidence and best practice to professional decisions
www.ebnhealth.com
Duncan Enright <duncan.enright@ebnhealth.com>