E-drug: Re: Drug inventory control software (contd)
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I have the feeling that this debate is about a cheap complicated database
that can be simply modified to suit the needs for a central medical store.
People seem in favour of scrapping functional DOS programs. This may be wise
or unwise. If one wishes to migrate to Windows, I would suggest the purchase
a cheap used license of Microsoft Access 2.0 - from someone who has migrated to
Office Pro 97. In this package there is a complete model database for a
fictious firm importing exotic foods from numerous suppliers over all the
world, using various transport firms, and selling to a number of smaller
stores. Yes, it needs to be modified to accomodate ATC numbers. Currency
fluctuations are not in, but could be added by a person who understands the
workings of a relational
database. Prices are in.
Access97 for Windows95 (or '98) has a wizard that establishes this database,
plus a number of simpler ones. It is a little more user friendly than
Access2, but not much.
My main message is that purchasing a huge dedicated drugs only package may
be a waste of money. Standard office tools may suffice, and can easily be
increased to accomodate changes. If there is a network, several workstations
may use
the database simultaneously (beware of the multiuser license aspect -
Microsoft is on the warpath, just as aggressive as the pharmaceutical
industry about "intellectual property"). If you want advanced security with
access control (no pun intended), Access2.0 is a bit difficult to manage;
then specialist must probably be called in.
I am sure there are lots of established databases out there that can provide
a new system with tables of drug names, generic names, ATC codes, supplier
names etc on a few diskettes. They can be easily imported.
I don't say this is a perfect solution - but it is cheap, quickly operative,
and easy to modify. Norway has its adverse reactions database on a home-made
Access2.0 system (I made it myself after waiting several years for a Swedis
system). There was a lot to learn from the package. And I have no
programming experience - I am a 100 percent end user.
If anyone has experience with other database programs, they will be able to
tell whether there are model databases available for them. But I think the
basic structure of the Northwind database is movable from one system to
another. A
couple of days at the keyboard - perhaps a month to have the entire system
working.
Gaut Gadeholt
Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
gaut@online.no
gaut.gadeholt@labmed.uio.no
Previously: The Norwegian Medicines Control Authority
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