Determination of drug information needs of health care professionals in Estonia.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the current sources and perceived needs of drug information among Estonian physicians and pharmacists. METHODS. A survey was conducted among 2000 health care professionals subscribing to a drug information bulletin. The questionnaire addressed the most important areas of drug information for the respondent, the areas of drug information most difficult to access, the main sources of drug information currently used, the quality of information received from the representatives of drug manufacturers, and the need for an independent drug information center (DIC).

RESULTS

A total of 457 (23%) questionnaires were returned. Of all the respondents, 82% were physicians and 18%--pharmacists. More than half of respondents (59%) had over 20 years, 30% had 10-20, and 11% up to 10 years of professional experience. The most important areas of information identified by the respondents were pharmacological action, indications, dosing, and contraindications. The same were considered to be the most difficult areas to find data about. The main sources of drug information were datasheet compendium Pharmaca Estica, specialty handbooks, medical journals, and drug manufacturers' representatives. Manufacturers' representatives provided mainly data about pharmacological action, indications, and dosing (respectively, 66, 64, and 58% of respondents always got this information). Most respondents (89%) considered the information from the manufacturers sufficient; 88% of respondents still considered a drug information center necessary.

CONCLUSION

The most important areas of drug information (pharmacological action, indications, dosing, and contraindications), the areas difficult to access (medical questions of use in the elderly, drug interactions, use during pregnancy and lactation), the main sources of drug information (Pharmaca Estica, specialty handbooks, medical journals, etc.) and the most favored ways of getting information from the drug information center (by phone, by e-mail) were determined. There were limited differences in the opinions of different professionals and a very high proportion of respondents considered the drug information center necessary.