# RE: E-DRUG: Drug Information for developing countries

**URL:** https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/re-e-drug-drug-information-for-developing-countries/482
**Category:** e-drug
**Created:** [March 9, 1997, 4:00pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/re-e-drug-drug-information-for-developing-countries/482 "1997-03-09T16:00:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Marland\_Holderness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@Marland\_Holderness](https://talk.edrugplus.org/u/Marland_Holderness)
#### Post date: [March 9, 1997, 4:00pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/re-e-drug-drug-information-for-developing-countries/482/1 "1997-03-09T16:00:32Z")

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Dear David,

I fully support your ideas on drug information for developing countries.

My own attempt at the "iceberg" has been to develop a database of  
pharmaceuticals registered in South Africa, which may well address the  
needs of a number of southern African countries. It includes both trade  
and generic names of products and their ATC classification among other  
data. At present it comprises some 8000 products. A user-friendly  
lookup has been programmed so that similar or identical poly-component  
preparations may also be retrieved. I should like to find a way of  
sharing this information while at the same time ensuring integrety of  
the data.

An Internet site which I have established carries Package Inserts (data  
sheets) of a wide range of South African products, representing over 55  
companies. At present I am attempting to get support from other  
pharmaceutical manufacturers in order to have the data as comprehensive  
as possible.

A major problem is to find a way of making the data available to  
computer users who do not have Internet access, another to find funding  
to maintain the site to ensure that it is kept current.

It has been my experience that, if approached, many pharmaceutical  
manufacturers are very willing to provide information (not promotional  
material) on request. Maybe a directory of manufacturers should be a  
first step.

Marland Holderness  
Internet site for Package Inserts: [http://home.intekom.com/pharm/](http://home.intekom.com/pharm/)

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