The document outlines 7 steps for responding to drug information requests: 1) Secure requestor demographics; 2) Obtain background information; 3) Determine and categorize the question; 4) Develop a search strategy and conduct research; 5) Evaluate, analyze, and synthesize the information; 6) Formulate and provide a response; 7) Conduct follow-up and documentation. Following these steps will help ensure drug information specialists provide the best possible answers to medication questions from a variety of audiences. Proper documentation of questions and responses also allows referencing past inquiries.

1. 7 Steps to Respond to
Drug Information Requests
Sreenu Thalla
Clinical Pharmacologist

2. • The nature of enquiry will depend on the scope of drug information
services
• Adopting a stepwise approach may reduce literature search time, over
looking for significant information and help the enquirer understand
the search strategy
• Whether you’re on a drug information, community or hospital rotation,
these 7 steps will help you provide the best possible answer to any
medication question

3. 1. Secure Requestor Demographics
• It’s important to know your audience, as your response technique may differ
depending on whether the question comes from a health care professional or
a patient.
• For example, you’d use the word “renal” with a pharmacist and “kidney”
with a patient.
• It’s always best to inquire how the requestor would like the information
delivered (eg, Email, phone or fax), as this will help ensure adequate follow-
up
• Identify the enquirer and obtain sufficient contact details
• A deadline for response should always established for the expected response
time should be provided.

4. 2. Obtain Background Information
• This is historically the most difficult step because you must act as a
detective.
• Experience is required to improve the initial exchange of
information
• Determine whether it’s a general or patient-specific question, and
then identify resources the requestor has already consulted to help
facilitate the process.
• For patient-specific questions, it’s important to inquire about
pregnancy, weight and renal function

5. 3. Determine and Categorize the Question
• If a pharmacist requests information about whether a patient who’s
breastfeeding can take amoxicillin, this would be classified as a
lactation question.
• Various categories may include pregnancy, drug interaction,
pharmacy law or pill identification.
• It may be necessary to understand few aspects of the question before
seeking an answer
• Almost all drug information requests can be categorised by nature
and this will dictate most efficient rewarding strategy
• Search patterns can be used as guide for best approach for different
types of questions

6. 4. Develop a Strategy & Conduct a Search
• First, begin with tertiary literature, which is a compilation of primary
literature.
• This may include text books like Drugs in Pregnancy and
Lactation or drug information databases like Clinical
Pharmacology or Lexicomp.
• Next, consult your secondary literature resources, which is the path
to primary literature.
• Secondary resources include PubMed and EMBASE, which will
enable you to locate primary literature or original research.
• It’s important to use reputable resources when researching.
• When using websites, be sure to consult ones ending in .gov or .org.

11. 5. Perform Evaluation, Analysis & Synthesis
• Objectively critique all of the information you retrieve from your
comprehensive literature search.
• Also, consider the background information of your question.
• Consult with pharmacists and other health care professionals
with expertise in your specific drug information question
• However, clinical decisions still have to be made and advice on
patient care in an environment with limited evidence

12. 6. Formulate and Provide a Response
• Inform the requestor when one course of action is more desirable.
• Present competing viewpoints and considerations.
• Also, describe your evaluation of the research.
• Written responses should always be concise and fully referenced
• All responses should be documented with minimum details to
justify the response

13. 7. Conduct Follow-up and Documentation
• To determine the consequence of your advice, this is important but
may be possible in hospital or clinic. Maintain log book
• Follow-up is important for ensuring the information was received.
• Always document your drug information questions so you can refer
back to them.
• You’ll likely see the same question in the future and this well help
serve as a reference point.
• Feedback can be taken by email, written format or by telephone

14. Conclusion
• Drug information is a specialty field within the clinical pharmacy
practice.
• This allows access to clinical experience, libraries, research facilities
and educational activities.
• Information present in the current paper will not only enlighten the
role of drug information center but also focused on the rational use of
drug
• Role of drug information center to spread the awareness about drug
information services and rational use of drugs