Use of bioavailability data by practitioners. Part 2: Preliminary report of evaluation skills of pharmacists and physicians.

The ability of pharmacists and physicians to interpret and evaluate promotional and clinical bioavailability data was compared to that of a panel of scientists with experience in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology. An examination tested the ability of 18 physicians and 68 pharmacists to: (1) evaluate and make clinical decisions using promotional bioavailability data; (2) demonstrate the basic qualitative and quantitative skills needed to make rational judgments on drug product selection; and (3) distinguish between drugs with real or potential bioavailability problems. On the examination, pharmacists, as a group, scored significantly higher (52%) than physicians (35%), but the panelists scored highest (83%). Hospital pharmacists (61%) scored higher than community pharmacists (42%). Recommendations for future studies of this type are presented.