Therapeutic consultation: a necessary adjunct to independent drug information.

1. A therapeutic consultation service was implemented in 1984 to complement other methods of information and education on drug therapy for prescribers. 2. Up to 1991, 1,620 enquiries were received, 65% from our hospital and an increasing proportion from primary care (10%), other hospitals (6%), family planning centres (4%), and other sources (14%). 3. More than two-thirds (67%) were consultative enquiries, as opposed to demands for factual information, which needed knowledge of medical aspects of the case and clinical expertise. 4. 85% of enquiries were answered with a written report including relevant references and as conclusive as possible recommendations. 5. More discussion of therapeutic consultation is needed, and aspects for discussion are suggested.