The document outlines a systematic approach for pharmacists in answering drug information queries, which involves seven essential steps: securing demographics, obtaining background information, categorizing the ultimate question, conducting a search, evaluating and synthesizing information, formulating and providing a response, and following up with documentation. Each step emphasizes the importance of thoroughness and clarity to ensure the response accurately addresses the requester's needs. Proper handling of these queries is crucial for effective patient care in both hospital and community pharmacy settings.

1. SYSTEMATIC APPROACHES IN
ANSWERING A DRUG
INFORMATION QUERY
PRESENTED BY :
R. PRATHIBA CHANDRAN
4 TH PHARM -D

2. DEFINITION:
• Drug information query refers to the provision of unbiased, well referenced
and critically evaluated up-to-date information on any aspect of drug use.
• The ability to provide up-to-date drug information is an important skill for all
pharmacist. This is particularly true for those in hospital and community
pharmacy who regularly provide drug information to patients and other
healthcare professionals.
• The categories of enquiries include,Drug interactions, adverse effects,
disease state information, about drug use in pregnancy and lactation, etc.For
better understanding the needs of the request, a pharmacist should adopt a
systematic approach.

3. The following are the seven steps involved in answering a drug
information query
STEP 1: Secure demographics of the requester
STEP 2: Obtain background information
STEP 3: Determine and categories the ultimate question
STEP 4: Develop search strategy and conduct search
STEP 5: Perform evaluation, analysis and synthesis
STEP 6: Formulate and provide response
STEP 7: Conduct, follow up and documentation.

4. • STEP 1: SECURE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE REQUESTER
• The requesters name, position, training and anticipated knowledge are
important to determine the approach and final response to the question.
Also determine a method for delivery of the response - verbal, written,
email .
• STEP 2: OBTAIN BACKGROUND INFORMATION
• It is important to obtain full background information before attempting to
answer any drug information query. The level of background information
required will depend on the type of enquiry. The background questions
should be specific for the nature of the request. It includes patient's age,
weight, sex, diagnosis and other medical informations.

5. • STEP 3: DETERMINE AND CATEGORIES THE ULTIMATE QUESTION
• The ultimate question may differ significantly from the original
question if the requester posts a general question and the pharmacist
has used expertise to obtain background information.
• Adequate background information is needed to determine the
ultimate question. Thereafter the question should be categorised

6. • STEP 4: DEVELOP SEARCH STRATEGY AND CONDUCT SEARCH
• The information resources are selected based on the probability of
containing the decide information or data.
• If a query is about a recently introduced drug a medline search would
be appropriate.
• The resources may be used based on case of axis of the pharmacist
familiarity with particular resource
• The resources used in answering the query is documented as this will
be helpful in understanding the usefulness of various resources.

7. • STEP 5: PERFORM EVALUATION, ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS
• The information retrieved must be critically reviewed.
• Application of the techniques and skills for literature evaluation and a knowledge of
statistical analysis may be used.
• For the response to be relevant and useful to the requester the information must be
analysed and synthesised with consideration of background information obtained previously.
• Analysis involves the critical assessment of nature and merit of factors which may be
relevant to the question. It request 8 full review and evaluation of weight of available
evidence.
• Analysis and synthesis together assist in forming opinions, arriving at judgements and
ultimately drawing conclusions they can add on new information to existing information and
create new knowledge

8. • STEP 6: FORMULATE AND PROVIDE RESPONSE
• This involves steps that must be performed completely and objectively in a
logical sequence Patient factors, disease factors, medication history and other
relevant background information and special circumstances must be considered.
• The way in which answers are communicated plays a major role in determining
how the drug information is accepted.
• The response to a question must include restating the request and clearly
identifying the problems and issues, circumstances that are relevant to the
question, conflicting view points for consideration should be clearly stated.
• The response provided should be brief, concise and accurate and should be
provided in timely manner

9. • STEP 7: CONDUCT, FOLLOW UP AND DOCUMENTATION.
• Follow up the process of verifying the appropriateness, correctness
and completeness of a response after it has been given.
• Documentation of the drug information query is essential for
purposes of quality assurance, budget allocation and promotion of
the drug information service and to minimise liability.
• The documentation maybe as a simple form or an extensive review
and summary of all processes completed. Evidence of improved
outcomes will provide an opportunity for justification of the service
and its finding.

10. • REFERENCE:A text book of clinical pharmacy practice by G
Parthasarathy, Karin NH, Milap CN. Pgno: 267-287

11. THANK YOU