Overview of Status and Challenges of Drug Information Services in India

Abstract

Drug information service is defined as a dedicated and specialised service provided by pharmacists to boost information of medicines use, promote rational prescribing among prescribers, and scale back medication errors. It is a clinical pharmacy service that responds to patient-related considerations by providing current, unbiased, and analysed information. According to the World Health Organization, DIC is an essential component of national drug rationalisation strategies. The goal of the drug information centre is to provide accurate individualised, useful, and unbiased drug information to consumers and healthcare professionals across the country for health care and drug safety concerns by responding to their requests on all major concerns relating to drug information, uses, and side effects.

In India, there is a scarcity of accurate drug information services, and doctors in general acquire their information from medical representatives who are openly partial to their product. Low-income people, diverse health-care systems, and a lack of knowledge about the risks and benefits of medication therapy make competent clinical pharmacy practise even more relevant and necessary in India. However, there is less awareness of the service in the Indian hospitals, and healthcare staff being constantly encouraged to use the services for improved patient care. Furthermore, the department of pharmacy practice's drug information services created a network of DICs in India and internationally for improved patient care now and in the future.